November NUI Galway to Host Men’s Health Symposium on International Men’s Day

Symposium to support people working in men’s health and to discuss and provide solutions to combating isolation and building resilience in men’s lives

The School of Nursing and Midwifery at NUI Galway will host a Men’s Health Symposium focusing on the current issues that affect men’s health across their lifespan. The free event is aimed at health professionals and allied professionals who have an interest in men’s health and wellbeing, taking place on International Men’s Day on Tuesday, 19 November.

The symposium offers attendees the opportunity to discuss, debate and seek solutions to current issues influencing men’s wellbeing across generations. It coincides with the Movember movement in promoting conversations and dialogue about men’s mental health, masculinity, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, health promotion, social isolation and personal stories.

In partnership with the Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education, Galway and the HSE’s Health Promotion Unit, the symposium will specifically examine the influence masculinity has on men’s health; building resilience; and promoting positive mental health and wellbeing for men. It will also highlight how men can access services that will support their health and wellbeing along with motivating them to adopt healthier lifestyle behaviours.

A wide range of experts, practitioners, researchers and men’s health advocates from across Ireland will present on current issues in men’s health:

• Cathal Gallagher, Operation Transformation Leader 2019 will talk about his operation transformation experience and credits the show for helping him transform his outlook in life and making physical and mental health changes.
• Davy Glennon, Senior Galway Hurler will talk about his former battle with gambling addiction.
• Biddy O’Neill, Health and Wellbeing Programme, Department of Health will talk about men’s health in the workplace through a holistic approach.
• Dr Noel Richardson, CIT will talk about a space for vulnerability in men’s lives and Suicide in Ireland Report.
• Dr Phil Noone, NUI Galway will talk about aging men in rural Ireland and social inclusion.
• Laura Tully, AIT will talk about engaging farmers in physical activity, health and wellbeing and The Roscommon Fit Farmers Project.
• John Wall, Prostate cancer advocate will talk about living with prostate cancer.

Dr Bróna Mooney, Symposium Chairperson from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at NUI Galway, said: “Younger men’s experience of prostate cancer is influenced by their adherence to traditional masculine narratives, which may both assist them in recovery and deprive them of important sources of social and emotional support. This symposium addresses topics such as mental health, social isolation, health promotion initiatives and a range of other critical men’s health issues.”

Paul Gillen, Health Promotion and Improvement Services, HSE and Marissa Butler, Centre of Nursing and Midwifery Education, Galway, said: “We are delighted to co-organise this Men’s Health Symposium with NUI Galway. This event will highlight the importance of focusing on and supporting initiatives that seek to improve men’s health and wellbeing, to promote positive male role models and encourage us as health professionals to engage men and boys in healthier lifestyle choices.”

The symposium will take place from 8.30am-4pm on Tuesday, 19 November in the main Lecture Theatre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Arás Moyola Building, NUI Galway.

To register to attend, visit www.eventbrite.com and search for ‘Men’s Health Symposium’.

Follow on Twitter @n_gnursing and @CMNEGalway and #mhsym2019 and on Facebook at School of Nursing & Midwifery, NUI Galway.

-Ends-