Men’s Health

There is growing awareness and concern about the burden of ill health experienced by men in Northern Ireland:

• Men are more likely to die from coronary heart disease than women
• Deaths from bowel cancers are higher in men than women
• Men are more likely than women to drink above the weekly guidance limit of 14 units
• Men who smoke are more likely than women to be heavy smokers
• 74% of suicides in Northern Ireland in 2016 were males
• Male life expectancy is 3.8 years lower than that for women (2014-16).

Men experience gaps in access, services and treatment in rural or remote areas, in areas of social disadvantage and for specific groups, particularly Traveller, gay, bisexual or transgender males.

• What is happening to support men’s health in the SHSCT area?

  Men’s health is being addressed through a range of programmes from community, voluntary and statutory services.

  The Southern Area Men’s Health Steering Group  was established in 2012. This group supports new approaches to engage with and inform men about health issues, provides a forum for sharing information on local initiatives and identifies local need.

  To date the group has organised three seminars and a workshop bringing together local groups and interested parties to provide a forum for updating and sharing good practice.

  Members of the Southern Area Mens Health Steering Group

  For further information on the Southern Area Men’s Health Steering Group please contact sinead.hughes@southerntrust.hscni.net

• Men's Health Week 15-21 June 2020

  

  During this week we aim 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.

  More information is available at:

  Men’s Health Forum in Ireland

  Man Manual – Challenges and Choices

  The Toolbox for Action

   

  Interactive Tool to help men look after their health and wellbeing

• News and Events
  • Middle-Aged Men and Suicide in Ireland Report
  • ‘Men in the Middle’ Video Presentations
• Training

  Walking with a Health Condition

  Do you have a health condition and would like to slowly increase your activity levels?

  Becoming more physically active when you have a long term health condition can be daunting, but can bring significant health benefits, even with low level activity.  Our specialist walking groups will help you to gradually increase your activity with the support of others who face similar challenges and a trained walk leader.  Find out more…

  Walks currently organised in the Craigavon area include:

  Lurgan Park (Waves leisure centre entrance) –  10am for 10 mins, 10.45am for 20 mins, 11.30am for 30 mins
  Solitude Park, Banbridge (The Rangers Office) – 10am for 10 mins, 10.45am for 20 mins, 11.30am for 30 mins
  *Please contact sean.collins@southerntrust.hscni.net (Tel. 028 3756 3947) to register or to let us know if you would be interested in joining similar walks in another area.

• Men's Sheds

  Armagh Men’s Shed growing from strength to strengthWest Armagh Consortium recently welcomed visitors, shed members and their families to the official opening of Armagh Men’s Shed’s newly extended unit. Read more
  See Men’s Shed Armagh on YouTube

  Official launch of South Tyrone Men’s Shed
  The Southern Trust, along with Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council welcomed visitors, shed members and their families to the official launch of South Tyrone’s Men’s Shed. The project has been working with older men living across the Dungannon and South Tyrone area to help improve their quality of life and reduce health inequalities. Read more

  Kingdom Men’s Shed completes adult safeguarding training
  Members of Kingdom Men’s Shed recently invited Community Sector Training (SHSCT) to facilitate a short training session to increase their awareness of adult safeguarding.  Read more

• Resources
  • E-Male Matters Newsletter
  • Engaging Young Men Project: A report on the Mapping Exercise conducted in Ireland during 2014
  • Improving Men’s Health in Northern Ireland
  • Survey of the experiences and needs of male carers
  • Sick of being unemployed

  Other Sources of information

  • Men’s Advisory Project
    For men experiencing domestic abuse and relationship breakdown
    Tel: 028 9024 19 29  E mail: info@mapni.co.uk
  • Action Cancer – MOT health checks
  • Cancer Focus – Man Alive on site screening bus – Tel: 028 9066 3281
  • Man Matters – Tel: 028 9032 9718
  • www.malehealth.co.uk
  • www.mhfi.org