The component Men's Health Forum's in the British isles met for the first time in London in May. Representatives of the Men’s Health Forum England, Ireland, Scotland and Cymru (Wales) met to promote collaboration between the four nations. Each Forum was able to share a report of their respective activities.
Much of the discussions focussed on joining efforts to promote National Men’s Health Week. All agreed to consider holding a joint Four Nations conference on mental wellbeing during National Men’s Health Week in June 2006. The four men’s health forums will seek to involve sponsors from their respective geographical area in the Brain manual, giving it an international dimension and providing new means of fundraising.
‘Men and relationships’ is now considered as a potential theme for the National Men’s Health Week 2007.
MHFs from the four nations will not be constituted as a formal group but regular contacts will be maintained. The opportunity of the EMHF conference in September would provide an excellent opportunity to further the collaboration.
The Four Nations meeting may become an annual event, rotated round each country. MHFS will host the next meeting in 2006.
