Men’s Health Week (MHW) 2025, focused on championing the vital role that social connection plays in engaging and supporting men under the theme of ‘Shoulder to Shoulder, Connecting for Health’ . MHW runs annually in June, leading up to Father’s Day.
HSE Health and Wellbeing, in partnership with the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI), drives this important awareness campaign, highlighting how men can significantly improve their health by engaging in healthier lifestyle choices and seeking early detection and treatment for health difficulties.
Highlights where HSE staff and partners went above and beyond in supporting awareness and engagement on men’s health included:
- HSE Health Promotion and Improvement colleagues together with their local partners led local events engaging men in a range of community settings. Examples included health and wellbeing events in workplaces, agricultural marts and in the likes of Family Resources Centres across the country.
- HSE Health and Wellbeing together with the Men’s Development Network, SETU and the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland hosted a webinar with guest inputs from prominent sports personalities including former Irish international rugby player Bernard Jackman and former Dublin GAA footballer Michael Darragh Macauley. The webinar also featured Sean Blake who shared how he came to terms with his eating disorder and BowelScreen, promoted their free, at-home test for everyone aged 59 to 70, which can prevent cancer by finding and removing early signs of disease.
- The Irish Men’s Sheds Association encouraged their members across the country to get out walking for men’s health week and a number of Sli’s were organised where men walked together shoulder to shoulder. There was a big increase in the number of walks and men participating this year.
- The HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast published a special episode for men’s health week with Dr. Conor Hammersley focussed on Healthy Masculinity. The conversation offers insights and examples of the challenges faced by men and boys in this area as well as practical advice for individuals, communities, and policymakers seeking to support men’s health.
It’s a stark reality that men in Ireland, on average, die younger than women and have higher mortality rates across many leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, and suicide. Statistics also show that men are less likely to seek preventative healthcare or discuss health concerns, often leading to delayed diagnoses and poorer outcomes. Men’s Health Week aims to bridge this gap, encouraging men to look after themselves and support each other.
The most popular resource shared across the country for this year’s MHW was the ‘Action Man’ booklet.
“This year, we encouraged all men to reach out and make better connections which will improve their health,” said Fergal Fox, Men’s Health Lead with HSE Health & Wellbeing. “We wanted men to take practical steps to improve their own health and to support each other. Talking to another man or woman about your health can help a lot. The ‘Action Man’ booklet produced for Men’s Health Week gives men the tools and DIY instructions to make positive changes.”
Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/live/3rnWrhbxFzI?si=YVng6FSGm6mMNhdF
HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-f8x67-18d1b23