DONEGAL men are being urged to stand united and become more aware of their health as groups and organisations prepare to mark Men’s Health Week.
Ireland’s soccer manager Martin O’Neill and Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill have given their support/backing…..and will star in a nationwide poster and postcard campaign to highlight the week.
The focus for Men’s Health Week this year is “Men United-for Health and Wellbeing” and it runs from Monday June 13th to Sunday June 19th.
Research shows that men on the island of Ireland experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health and die too young:
- local men die, on average, four and a half years younger than women do;
* males have higher death rates than women for all of the leading causes of death;
* poor lifestyles are responsible for a high proportion of chronic diseases;
* late presentation to health services leads to a large number of problems becoming untreatable;
* mental health issues are a growing concern for many local men.
* The week is coordinated by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (www.mhfi.org), and is supported by both the Health Promotion and Improvement Department within the HSE as well as the National Office for Suicide Prevention.
MHW seeks 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.
Absolutely everyone can do something to support and celebrate MHW 2016 in Ireland, says the charity.
A spokesman said: “Even putting a poster to mark the week would be a great help. ‘Euro 2016’ fever is building amongst men in Ireland. Teams from both parts of the island are through to the final stages of the competition, and this really is a unique ‘Men United’ scenario. Indeed, the Euros kick-off on the Friday before Men’s Health Week begins.
“During Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2016, Michael O’Neill (Northern Ireland Team Manager) and Martin O’Neill (Republic of Ireland Team Manager) will be the most recognised men in Ireland. We are, therefore, delighted that the two managers have agreed to be the ‘poster boys’ for MHW this year, and to be associated with the call for everyone to unite to improve the health and wellbeing of local men and boys.
“They will also appear on the cover of the free, 32 page, ‘Challenges and Choices’ Man Manual which will be given to men across whole the island of Ireland.
“However, it’s not only Michael and Martin who’ll be asking the question ‘are we winning?’ during the week. Everyone is encouraged to ask themselves / their organisations this question in relation to men’s health and wellbeing.”
For practical ideas on how to get involved, download a copy of the paper on what you can do to mark MHW 2016 at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2016celebrateit.pdf
Doing even one of the simple (and cost-free) things in this document would contribute hugely to MHW 2016!, says the charity.
A free, 32 page, Man Manual (based upon the ‘Haynes Manual’ model) is also being distributed to mark MHW.
This poses ten simple and practical health challenges to men and, to meet every challenge, it offers three basic choices.
47,000 copies of this manual have already been distributed throughout the island of Ireland, and (with the support of the Irish Pharmacy Union) they are available in most local pharmacies throughout the country.
International Men’s Health Week (MHW) begins on Monday 13th June 2016, and groups throughout Ireland will be joining with other European countries – as well as the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and a number of other places worldwide – to mark this occasion. The theme in Ireland will focus upon ‘Men United – for Health and Wellbeing’, and everyone is asked to think about the question: ‘are we winning?’ …
The charity urges everyone to support the week by:
Putting up a poster (www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2016.html#Poster)
Using one of the MHW logos / graphics in your email communications (www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-image-pack.html
Following the latest news on Facebook or Twitter
Tweeting about the week using the hashtag #MHW2016
Telling others about what is happening in your area during MHW by posting details at: www.mhfi.org/mhw/promote-an-event.html
Checking out some of the events taking place at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2016events.pdf
To find out more about the week, download ‘The Toolbox for Action’ at: www.mhfi.org/mhw2016toolbox.pdf or visit: www.mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2016.html
