News

SkillSET - Action Mental Health in Lisburn

Are you looking for one-to-one support in a relaxed and friendly environment?  Do you want to build your skills and confidence for the future? …  If so, Action Mental Health in Lisburn is here to help.  Your dedicated keyworker can support and guide you to develop your skills, gain work experience / volunteer, access education / training and find employment.  They offer a range of courses (including literacy, numeracy and computer skills, health and safety, and food hygiene qualifications), help with CV building, job applications, interview preparation skills, education advice and guidance, improving confidence, stress management and much more.  If you wish to find out more about the SkillSET Project, contact: Andrea (02890 490722 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Francesco (02890 490721 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or visit them at 21c Railway Street, Lisburn, BT28 1XG for a cup of tea and a chat.

Youth Prevention Toolkit: E-Cigarettes

The Tobacco Free Ireland Programme recently produced a new resource for youth workers: ‘Youth Prevention Toolkit: E-Cigarettes’.  The purpose of the Toolkit is to offer current and precise information about e-cigarettes and other nicotine delivery systems to individuals who interact with young people.  It includes explanations about these devices, their health effects, environmental impact, concerns about young people vaping, and strategies for discussing the issue with young people.  Find out more at: https://hsehealthandwellbeingnews.com/new-e-cigarette-prevention-toolkit-for-youth-workers

HUGG for Men

Significantly fewer men than women access suicide bereavement support services.  However, it is vital that men know that accessing support can be lifesaving, that their grief is valid, and that they deserve help.  To meet this need, HUGG is launching its first dedicated male-only suicide bereavement support group - led by men for men.  The impact of a suicide ripples outwards, often negatively affecting the mental health and quality of life of the suicide bereaved.  'AfterWords',  the national survey of people bereaved by suicide in Ireland, found unhealthy coping habits such as the use of alcohol, drugs and gambling more prevalent among suicide bereaved men than women.  Following a death by suicide: 65% of men experienced mental health problems; 40% used alcohol to cope with their grief; 33% reported problems with family relationships; and 28% said their physical health deteriorated.  For more details about joining the HUGG Men support group, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01 5134048.

The Final Countdown to Men's Health Week 2024 Begins

International Men's Health Week (MHW), which begins on Monday 10th June and runs until Sunday 16th June 2024 (Father’s Day), is just around the corner.

At school, every pupil is told that you need to know your numbers if you are to get on in life.  This message is usually not welcomed at the time, but it’s a solid piece of advice.

During Men's Health Week 2024, everyone is being asked to ‘Know Your Numbers’.  Policy makers need to know statistics on the state of men’s health.  Men need to know the key health numbers that they should be working towards.  Everyone needs to know the numbers for support services at times when things go wrong.  Men’s health really does count!

The focus for MHW this year - ‘Know Your Numbers’ - lends itself to a wide range of ways to mark this occasion.  Everyone (health professionals, service providers, youth groups, sporting bodies, community organisations, employers, Churches, policy makers, family workers, pharmacists, the media, parents, individuals ...) is being asked to set themselves a simple, realistic and practical target to improve the health of men, and to go for it.

As always, the overarching aims of MHW are to:

-  Heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages.
-  Support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and activities.
-  Encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.

However, you don’t have to stick rigidly to this particular theme.  Anything which promotes the week and encourages men and boys to lead healthier lifestyles, to be more aware of preventable health problems, and to seek early detection and treatment for health difficulties will be very welcome.

To find out more about the week, visit: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2024.html

 

What Can I Do To Mark Men's Health Week 2024

Everyone can do something to support and celebrate Men’s Health Week (MHW) each year.

The focus for MHW 2024 (i.e. ‘Know You Numbers’) lends itself to a wide range of ways to mark this occasion.  However, there is no need to stick rigidly to this particular theme.  Anything which promotes the week and encourages men and boys to lead healthier lifestyles, to be more aware of preventable health problems, and to seek early detection and treatment for health difficulties will be very welcome!

Some people might have the time, energy, resources and skill to plan something elaborate.  However, even if this is not possible, there are still many simple, free and easy ways to get involved / show support - such as putting-up the poster in public spaces, giving out copies of the postcard to men that you know, social media posting, directing men to the free ‘Action Man’ booklet, offering copies of the new Men’s Health in Numbers Z-Card to men, using the MHW graphics ...

For practical ideas and inspiration, you are invited to check out a paper titled 'What Can I Do To Mark This Week?' at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2024celebrateit.pdf

Men’s Health Week Ideas Webinar

On Wednesday 20th March 2024, Health Service Executive (HSE) Health and Wellbeing joined with the Men's Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) to host a webinar focusing on Men's Health Week (MHW).  This event highlighted practical examples of work that HSE staff have undertaken in the past to mark and celebrate MHW.  It might kick-start some ideas for you too!  See: https://youtu.be/eP3vMNhBrTs