Men’s Health

Men’s Health

“A men’s health issue is a disease or condition unique to men, more prevalent in men, more serious among men, for which risk factors are different for men, or for which different interventions are required for men” (Fletcher 1996)

Men, in Northern Ireland, experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health.

Many of the major health risks that men face can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle: regular exercise, a healthy diet, not smoking, stress reduction, and alcohol consumption in the moderate range – if at all. Regular checkups and screening tests can spot disease early, when it is easiest to treat.

So don’t be an average man — below are some useful resources and websites that we hope will be of benefit to you.

The Health Improvement Team manage the Belfast Men’s Health Group website and chair the Belfast Men’s Health Group.  This group is made up of staff from a wide range of organisations in the community, voluntary and statutory sector across Belfast who all have an interest in supporting the health and wellbeing of men and boys. Fun,lighthearted podcasts with important health and wellbeing messages are added regularly to this site with speakers such as Dr Angela Atalla (Consultant in Sleep and Respiratory Medicine) Vinny Hurrel (BBCNI TV producer and Presenter) and Finion Murray (Men’s Health Forum Ireland) to name a few.

Each year, Men’s Health Week (in June) and International Men’s Day (in November) is celebrated and we work in partnership with other organisations throughout the year to further raise awareness of the key issues. ​​​​​​​

International Men’s Health Week 2022

International Men’s Health Week (MHW) begins on the Monday before Father’s Day and ends on Father’s Day itself.  This year it will run from Monday 13^th until Sunday 19^th June.

MHW is promoted worldwide and aims to:

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

Our call to action this year is “MISSION is POSSIBLE”

To celebrate this year the Belfast Trust Health Improvement team and the Belfast Men’s Health Group have organised number of events.

To book a place or for more information please see the list below.

Anyone interested in attending the Kickass Bootcamp they run Tuesday & Thursday evenings @ 6.15pm, and Saturday mornings @ 10am.

Staff/participants can sign up using this link –

https://www.fitnessbelfast.com/shop/outdoor-kickass-bootcamp-drop-in-session-pass

if they use the discount code MENSHEALTHWEEK at checkout, it will be discounted 100% – so a free session.

Organisation	Type of session	Date and time	Location
Belfast Men’s health Group	Podcast – Masculinity	Monday 13th June	Website Podcasts
Ananda Yoga	Beginners session (Men)	Tuesday 14th June at 1pm – 2.15pm	Antrim Road Belfast For more information or to book e-mail  paul.okane@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Here4U	Football	Tuesday 14th June at 5pm – 6pm	Grosvenor Road Football pitch Belfast For more information or to book e-mail tony.mcdonagh@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Kadampa Meditation Centre Belfast	Managing stress in turbulent times	Thursday 16th June at 5.30pm – 6.30pm	Kadampa Meditation Centre Belfast 54 Peter’s Hill. BT13 1BA For more information or to book e-mail paul.okane@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Belfast Men’s Health Group + Health improvement team	Parkrun	Saturday 18th June at 9.30am	Antrim – Parkrun free man manual  Waterworks – Parkrun free man manual
Cavehill Walking Club	Walk	Sunday 19th June at 11am	Upper Cavehill Road For more information or to book e-mail chris.donnelly@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Fitness Belfast	Kickass Bootcamp	To be arranged with individual.	Belfast Gym/outdoor location

 

Local Champions from Northern Visions NvTv on Vimeo.                                       To celebrate International Men’s Day this year the Belfast Trust Health Improvement Team along with the Belfast Men’s Health Group have teamed up with Northern Visions TV to record LOCAL CHAMPIONS. This is a collection of stories about local men, how they have overcome adversity in their lives and are now giving back to their local communities. Enjoy these inspiring stories of Champions and remember regardless of gender, it is important to prioritise your health and seek help if you need it.

Interview with Prof Joe O’Sullivan, Cancer Centre, BHSCT, about his interests in men’s health, and also playing some music.

Our Podbean Channel is https://belfastmenshealthgroup.podbean.com/

 

Mens Cancer Group

                            

Macmillan Move More Belfast in partnership with Connected Community Care for Cancer and East Belfast Community Development Agency are delighted to introduce a new Men-Only programme.

This Men’s-only programme will be an opportunity for Men who have or have had a cancer diagnosis to participate in physical activity sessions led by trained cancer rehab and exercise professionals in a supportive environment with other men who are going through their own cancer journey.

At the end of each session there will be tea and coffee provided and time to sit and chat. There will also be additional cancer support and information provided from external partners who can assist with, sign post or refer for any financial, emotional or practical support following a cancer diagnosis. There will also be an opportunity to find out about other programmes and groups available within the local community.

Anyone who participates will be able to avail of 12 weeks free membership to the Better Belfast Leisure centers with unlimited and inclusive access to all 14 Better Leisure centers followed by significantly subsidized memberships.

This programme will commence on Thursday 24^th March and will take place in Avoniel Leisure Centre from 12-2pm and will run every Thursday  thereafter.

Referrals can be made from any HCP or self-referral at any point following a cancer diagnosis.

 

For more information or to make a referral please contact:

Claire Murphy

Macmillan Move More Coordinator, Belfast

Tel: 07788 421987

Email: Claire.murphy2@gll.org