From the Men’s Health Information and Resource Centre at the University of Western Sydney.

2013 is shaping up to be a huge year for people working in male health. There’s plenty on!

1. The eternal question: how do we get men to become involved in programs?

Not surprisingly, this is one of the most common questions as organisations consider how to meet the health needs of males. Engaging Men is an important training event to be held in Newcastle on March 14 and 15.

At just $400 for a full two-day program, you’ll come away being a better worker with an improved ability to reach out to men and help them help themselves. It’s the kind of event that will pay for itself just in improved attendance at your own events (think Men’s Health Week)!

Find out the details >>

2. What actually works in male health programs? What have other people done that has succeeded?

Lots of people are doing lots of good work in male health. We set out to capture some of the results of this work through our new clearinghouse, MENGAGE. Usually when an organisation releases a report, they also issue a media release, maybe some photos, a summary document, maybe a video or recording. Normally, these items are distributed across their website.

What we do with MENGAGE is create a profile that links to these resources from one page. It’s an easy, free way to complement your own website and help other services make better use of your hard work.

Find out the details >>

3.  Lots of talk about Closing The Gap and the health of Aboriginal people. 

The Shed at Mount Druitt in NSW has become a safe and trusted place where men and their families can come to access the kinds of help they need during difficult or not-so-difficult times.

We thought it was about time to tell the inside story of the work of The Shed. Our new 12-page ebook is a personal account of individual and community efforts to reduce suicide in their own community.

Find out the details >>

4. Three ‘Save The Dates’ you should diarise…

Here are three important dates for you to put in the diary. These are ideal development opportunities for services to better meet the needs of men and boys:

• Put this one in your diary – we’re pulling together a unique event focusing on the transition of boys from school into the big, wide world. Thursday May 2nd 2013 in the Sydney CBD. 

• Men’s Health Week starts on June 10th. You will be able to order resources to help you run events and get yourself an event profile on the website. Website opens March 4th 2013. 

• The big National Men’s Health Gathering is on October 22nd 2013 in Brisbane! Actually it’s three conferences rolled into one, so it’s a great way to dive into the many aspects of male health work.

Source: MHIRC website (http://www.uws.edu.au/mhirc/mens_health_information_and_resource_centre)