This event will focus on ‘nudging’ as a behaviour change concept to encourage positive behaviours in relation to health and wellbeing and promoting a healthy weight.  Presentations will explore the ‘nudge concept’ and include practical examples.  It will be of interest to a broad range of sectors, and will take place on Tuesday 12th June 2018, from 10.00am - 1.30pm, in Belfast.  For more details or to book a place, visit: www.safefood.eu/Professional/Events/All-island-Obesity-Action-Forum-Nudge-nudge.aspx

Is your head wrecked?  Are you stressed?  Do you want to learn to control your anger? …  If so, you might be interested in the Mojo South Dublin ‘Man Day’ being held on Friday 18th May 2018, from 9.30am to 4.00pm, in Clondalkin Tus Nua, New Nangor Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.  This free event will include information, exercise, food and relaxation.  Text your name to 087 2470464 to reserve a place.

Are you a person with a health condition who would like to slowly increase your activity levels?  Did you know that walking can help you to: lose weight; keep your joints, bones and muscles strong; reduce anxiety and depression; increase good cholesterol; control blood pressure and blood sugar …?  If you live near Lurgan (Co. Armagh) or Banbridge (Co. Down) there are three different types of organised walk to suit all abilities.  These are held on Wednesdays (meet at the Waves entrance to Lurgan Park) and Thursdays (meet at the Solitude Park Toilets in Banbridge) and begin at 10.00am for a 10 minute walk, 10.45am for a 20 minute walk, and 11.30am for a 30 minute walk.  To register your interest, contact Sean Collins by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

International Men's Health Week (MHW) always begins on the Monday before Father's Day and ends on Father's Day itself.  This coming year, it will run from Monday 11th until Sunday 17th June 2018.

Each year, there is a specific theme.  During 2018, the theme for the island of Ireland will focus upon the famous words of Astronaut Neil Armstrong - the first man to walk on the moon - when he said: ‘That's one small step for [a] man. One giant leap for mankind’.  The key question that everyone will be asked during MHW this year is: ‘what's your one small step to improve men's health going to be?’

Every year the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) convenes an all-island Planning Group for MHW.  Would you be interested in joining with others from across the island of Ireland to help to shape this week?  This can be done in many ways - from participating in meetings to electronic communication.  All input is very welcome, and helps to make the week stronger and more relevant.

The third meeting of the Planning Group will be held on the morning of Thursday 10th May 2018, in Dundalk, Co. Louth.  However, even if you cannot make this meeting, your ongoing feedback on developments via email would still be very helpful.  If you would be interested in being part of the planning process for 2018 (in any way), email Colin Fowler at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

One way or the other, it’s time to start thinking about how your group / workplace / church / community / sports club ...  could do something to mark this week.  MHW 2018 posters, postcards, Man Manuals, graphics, social media messages and giveaways are, currently, being developed and will be ready in early May.  In the meantime, monitor progress and developments at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2018.html

Unfortunately, all of the places at the Men’s Health Symposium held on Thursday 15th March 2018 in Dr Steevens’ Hospital, Dublin (which focused on the health and wellbeing needs of middle-aged men in Ireland) were allocated soon after the booking process opened.  This left a lot of applicants feeling disappointed.  To meet the requests from people who were not able to attend, all of the speakers’ PowerPoint presentations are now available online at: www.mhfi.org/resources/men-s-health-symposium-2018.html  It is also hoped to have video footage of some of the inputs available on this page soon.

Bowel cancer is Ireland’s second most common cancer and it affects more men than women.  Despite this stark fact, men (only 36%) are much less likely to do a simple home screening test which aims to find bowel cancer at an early stage in people who have no symptoms.  The test is free and available to men (and women) aged 60 to 69.  Throughout Bowel Cancer Awareness Month (April), BowelScreen - the HSE National Bowel Screening Programme - will highlight the importance of bowel screening, and aims to encourage those eligible to register for the free test.  People on the register will receive a home test in the post which is easy to use and non-invasive.  The test only takes a minute, and can be done in the privacy of your own home.  Results are usually back within four weeks.  To find out more and register for the programme, visit www.bowelscreen.ie or call Freephone 1800 45 45 55.

The National Youth Council of Ireland is the umbrella organisation for all youth groups throughout the Republic of Ireland, servicing 380,000 young people.  As preparation for Men’s Health Week this year, their National Youth Health Programme has developed a short rapid needs assessment to get the opinions of youth workers on what young men are dealing with in terms of their health, and how they can be supported.  The online survey can be accessed at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/6PFW65L  If you work with young men, NYCI would love you to contribute.