Men’s health week – raising awareness

SUPPORTING MEN'S HEALTH

PLEDGE DAY MEN'S HEALTH WEEK 2021

The annual Men’s Health Week (MHW), which took place earlier in the summer, aims to heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages, support men and boys to make healthier lifestyle choices, and encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.

In Ireland, the awareness week has grown in popularity over the last number of years, with many organisations and individuals lending their support in order to highlight the different topics discussed over the week.

HSE, Health & Wellbeing as a key funder of the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, the body who co-ordinate Men’s Health Week, are proud to be associated with this initiative. The chosen theme for Men’s Health Week 2021 was ‘Making the Connections’ and the call to action was: • CHECK IN with yourself to see how you are coping / feeling, and to identify any health worries that you might have. • CHECK UP on your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues to see how they’re doing and to offer support. • If you notice anything worrying or which needs medical attention, CHECK IT OUT and seek information / help / support / treatment as soon as possible.

The theme encouraged us all to take stock of our wellbeing. In particular to reach out to family, friends and colleagues and in our communities to simply rebuild our social connections following the impact of COVID-19.

Men’s Health Week 2021 offered an ideal opportunity to do something positive and realistic to improve both your own health, and the health of men and boys across the island of Ireland. Indeed, Saturday, June 19th year was dedicated as men’s health ‘Pledge Day’

Pledges can be as simple or complex as you like. For example, I’m going to:

• walk-and-talk with my kids at least once a week • use the stairs to my office rather than take the lift • only have chips once a week from now on • avoid having a drink except on a Saturday • seek support to help me stop smoking • organise a regular kick-about for the lads at lunch break • encourage my partner to check out that lump that’s been bothering him • offer free men’s health checks to users of our pharmacy • produce a men’s health leaflet for my employees • display a list of local helplines / support services for men in the canteen • make time to go for a health MOT/ NCT JUNE

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Remember there are different supports available, from online programmes like Minding Your Wellbeing or Stress Control, to QUIT.ie and AskAboutAlcohol.ie. There are also tips on getting healthy and eating healthier. In addition, HSE Health & Wellbeing have launched a series of exercise videos such as Pilates for Beginners and Yoga for Beginners. Further information on all these resources is available at www.hse.ie/healthandwellbeing