Men’s Health Week Gets into Focus

County Down Rural Community Network (CDCRN), in association with Downpatrick, Rowallane and Slieve Croob District Electoral Area (DEA) Forums, is celebrating Men’s Health Week by organising photography sessions with Raphael Mason Photography.

The events will begin on Tuesday 11 June, from 10am to 2pm in The Market House, Ballynahinch for men coming from the Rowallane and Slieve Croob DEA Forums. The Downpatrick workshop will be held on 13 June in the Ballymote Centre. All those attending the workshops will get tips and advice from Raphael on how to take better photographs, including on composition, lighting and angles.

After the morning sessions, attendees will take a tutorial tour of a local beauty spot to allow them to take their own photographs and apply the morning workshop’s lessons.

The programme will conclude on Wednesday 26 June with an exhibition of all photographs taken by the participants being displayed in the Ballymote Centre, Downpatrick.

Speaking about the event, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “Men constitute almost 50% of people living on the island of Ireland and deserve to have programmes which address their specific health needs.

“It is frightening to realise that men experience disproportionate ill health and often die far too young. We know that men have higher death rates than women for all of the leading causes of death. Local men die, on average, up to four years younger than women—this is truly a frightening statistic.

“We also know that poor lifestyle is responsible for a high proportion of chronic diseases and that if men delay going to their doctor, these diseases can become untreatable. Men’s Health Week 2019 gives us an ideal opportunity to focus our attention on this issue.”

Men’s Health week runs from 10 to 16 June 2019 and aims to heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages, support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and activities and encourage the early detection and treatment of male health problems.

The starting point for this year’s conversation about improving men’s health is to recognise and acknowledge that men’s health matters and going forward, needs to be followed up with action. During Men’s Health Week, people are being asked to make the time and take the time to do something realistic and practical that will make a positive difference to their health and the health of any men and boys they have contact with.