All posts by actionmentalhealth

Three men aged around 60 smiling and laughing with their arms round each other.

Men’s Health Week 2025: Why your mental health is just as important as physical health

Men’s Health Week (9-15 June) is a vital opportunity to shine a light on all aspects of wellbeing for men.

Three men aged around 60 laughing and smiling with their arms round each other.

While there is, rightly, a huge focus on physical health, awareness of your mental health matters just as much. Just as you wouldn’t ignore a persistent cough or a back injury, it’s important to pay attention to ongoing stress, low mood, or anxiety.

To mark Men’s Health Week, we’re exploring why it’s so important for men in Northern Ireland to get support for mental health issues.

Note: This article mentions suicide.

Men’s mental health in Northern Ireland

One in five adults in Northern Ireland are experiencing signs of mental ill-health. However, men are statistically much less likely than women to ask for help with mental health concerns1.

As a result, men in Northern Ireland are disproportionately affected by suicide. The most recent figures indicate that in 2021, 74% of total suicide deaths were males1.

Many may grow up believing they have to “just get on with it” or “keep the head down”. This cultural mind-set, while often rooted in resilience, can create stigma around mental health. It also becomes a barrier to getting the support that’s needed. This can even have a knock-on effect on your physical health.

A man aged around 40 talking to a counsellor.

How are mental health and physical health linked?

Mental and physical health often go hand-in-hand. People experiencing mental health issues are more likely to develop physical health conditions, and vice versa2.

That’s not to mention the physical side effects of mental health problems themselves. Anxiety might lead to nausea, headaches, or muscle pain, for example3

Likewise though, your mental wellbeing will benefit when you look after your physical health – whether through exercise or eating well. You might be surprised by how much a short 10 minute walk can boost your mood.

What can I do for my mental health?

Looking after your mental health doesn’t necessarily mean seeing a professional straight away (although that’s always a good option). Sometimes, it starts with small changes:

  • Talk to someone you trust. A friend, a partner, a colleague – sometimes just saying something out loud takes the pressure off.
  • Check in with yourself regularly. How are you really doing? Naming your feelings is the first step to managing them.
  • Make time for things that you enjoy. Whether it’s going for a walk with the dog, joining a five-a-side team, or cooking your favourite meal, regularly taking time for yourself can make a big difference.
  • Reach out if you’re struggling. There’s no shame in asking for help from your GP, a helpline, or a local charity like Action Mental Health.
A young man smiling. His friend has a supportive hand on his shoulder.

Whether you’re 18 or 80, a farmer, a builder, a teacher, or a stay-at-home dad, no one is immune to life’s challenges. Everyone has mental health. Looking after it and knowing when to ask for support helps us to lead better and fuller lives.  

Where can I get support?

Action Mental Health:

  • Our Men’s Sheds are an ideal place for men aged 50+ to learn and share new skills or just come along for a good chat and cup of tea.
  • We also offer a high-quality, professional counselling service for adults, young people and children in Northern Ireland.

Self-help resources:

  • Men’s Health Forum, organisers of Men’s Health Week, offer self-help resources, including a Man MOT for the Mind.
  • Create your own Mind Plan with this NHS tool.

Helplines:

  • If you are in crisis or distress, Lifeline operates 24/7– you can call them and talk to a trained counsellor on: 0808 808 8000.
  • The Samaritans can also be contacted 24/7 by calling: 116 123.
  • For young people, Papyrus operate HOPELINE247 at: 0800 068 41 41. Contact Childline on: 0800 1111.

References

  1. Mental Health Champion (2023). Mental Health in Northern Ireland: Fundamental Facts 2023
  2. Mental Health Foundation (2022). Physical Health and Mental Health
  3. NHS (2025). Signs of anxiety
A group of staff and participants from SES Workable (NI) gathered outside Belfast City Hall.

Supported Employment Solutions (SES) celebrate Annual Big Lunch event

A group of particpants, staff, and employers gathered in front of the SES and Cedar banners outside  Belfast City Hall .

All 7 SES Partners (Action Mental Health, Cedar, Orchardville, Mencap, Now Group, AdaptNI, and RNIB) came together on Tuesday 3rd June to celebrate their Annual Big Lunch event. This year the event took place in the grounds of City Hall Belfast, and what a fantastic celebration it was! 

SES Workable (NI) participants, employers and staff were proud to be joined by Mark Young and Diane Ellison from the Department for Communities and the newly appointed Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tracy Kelly (DUP).

The Lord Mayor of Belfast standing with staff from SES outside Belfast City Hall.
Councillor Tracy Kelly, Lord Mayor of Belfast in attendance at the Big Lunch event.

It was an afternoon filled with connection, community and celebration of everything that SES makes possible across Northern Ireland through our supported employment ethos. SES currently support up to 300 participants with disabilities and health conditions in workplaces across the public, private and community sectors through a range of 1-1 tailored interventions. The programme also provides support and guidance to employers.

A group of participants and staff from Workable (NI) in front of the SES banner at the Big Lunch event.
Staff and participants celebrating the event.

Patricia Kelly, Workable (NI) Service Manager with Action Mental Health said:

I am delighted with the success of this year’s SES Big Lunch Event.  Our SES staff across the partner organisations have worked very hard to co-ordinate proceedings to ensure our afternoon was a success. In the true spirit of the Big Lunch ethos, our aim was to come together, nurture a sense of belonging and resilience, and to provide some valuable ‘time-out’ for our clients and employers. I think we certainly achieved all of this on the day, alongside raising awareness of supported employment strategies.”

Thank you to everyone who joined us – together we are building inclusive workplaces.

Workable (NI) is funded by Department for Communities. Find out more about SES.

Step Up for the 500k Action Mental Health NetWalk Challenge at Stormont Estate

Action Mental Health (AMH) has teamed up with Dr Jonny Bloomfield for a free all-day NetWalking event at Stormont Estate on Friday 27 June 2025. With a target of 500k steps this charity NetWalk will raise funds for vital mental health services in Northern Ireland, while helping raise awareness and well-being.

Beginning his career as a fitness coach at Ulster Rugby before becoming a physiologist at the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland, Jonny is well knownas a health and performance coach specialising in stress, sleep, exercise & nutrition. He has 20 years’ experience working in areas of high performance, across different industries and a background in sports science and exercise physiology.

So what exactly is NetWalking? Simply, it is networking while you walk, with this event targeted at anyone who fancies an informal stroll and the opportunity to make new acquaintances while raising funds for mental health. Ticking two of the ‘Take 5’ elements for mental health and well-being; connecting with others and exercising in a green space, NetWalking is widely recognised for its many feel good restorative properties and sense of community.

The concept which originated from ditching the office in favour of talking while walking, has proved very popular as it combines shared experience and the ability to have a conversation without distraction. In the world of business development, NetWalking has quite literally gained a foothold, bringing business people together away from the traditional confines of whiteboards, boardrooms and online meetings, so often associated with traditional networking.


Jonny said, “I’m delighted to be involved with this free NetWalking charity event which will help raise money for mental health services in Northern Ireland. Our usual last Friday of the month netwalk started post-Covid with a regular 10am event from Stormont Estate’s yellow ‘chatty benches’. It is really popular with new people joining every month. We take the route through the woods and then up the hill in front of Stormont, with each person usually clocking up 5000 steps – approximately 3-4 miles. It is an informal event where people are encouraged to partner up.”

 “Adding, the AMH charity NetWalk on Friday 27 June 2025 will start at the yellow chatty benches just inside the main gates. This special event offers up the opportunity to be involved in one to five netwalks with starting times of 8am, 10am, 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm.  We have a sign-up target of 100 people to collectively achieve 500k steps so please share this event with your family, friends and networks.”

Testimonials from the Last Friday Netwalk at Stormont –

“The Netwalking group has become my benchmark for the month, a space I always look

forward to. It’s welcoming, uplifting, and Jonny sets such a warm, inclusive tone that

meaningful conversation just flows. It is connection, community, and a breath of fresh air all

in one!” – Regular Netwalker, Amanda Barr, Breakup & Divorce Coach

“So glad I joined the Netwalking group for my first dander round Stormont Estate Friday

30th May. Such a welcoming and friendly bunch. Got to have some interesting chats and

meet like-minded people.” – 1 st Timer May 2025, Benny McClure, E M Gray & Co

“Netwalking has been amazing for me. I would usually avoid traditional networking as it can

feel stuffy and forced. This is the exact opposite. Casual and friendly with everyone genuinely

nice and wanting to support each other.” – Regular Netwalker, Matt Greer, Navigate IFA


AMH Fundraising and Engagement Officer, Iain McCarthy said, “As walking and talking helps generate conversation organically, this method of exercise and chatting is a catalyst for creativity, as the rhythm of walking helps with idea formation. Additionally, this informal meeting method helps build connections on a level playing field, making it an enjoyable but dynamic experience. It’s well-being that goes beyond the confines of walls. This event is for everyone from all walks of life and for most fitness levels.”

To get involved please sign up as an individual or group at [email protected] 

To donate online please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/netwalk-stormont

Camp Out for Someone

Join Us for a Night under the Stars to Support Mental Health

On Friday, June 20th, 2025, people across Northern Ireland and beyond will come together to “Camp Out for Someone”, a unique fundraising event in support of Action Mental Health. Whether it’s wild camping in the great outdoors or setting up a tent in the back garden, participants will take part in an unforgettable night under the stars, embracing the power of nature and community.

Timed to coincide with the Summer Solstice on Saturday, June 21st, this event is designed to bring people together, encouraging them to wake up with the sunrise and make the most of the longest day of the year. Through participation, fundraising, and social media engagement, supporters will help raise awareness and vital funds for mental health services across Northern Ireland.

800 Marathons in 800 Weeks for Mental Health Services

Oggie, Oggie, Oggie Oi, Oi, Oi

Oggie is back with his next epic challenge, set to hit 800 official marathons within 800 weeks and donate £800 to help vital mental health services in Northern Ireland. All of this just days after he celebrates his 68th birthday on 1 May 2025, when he runs this year’s Moy Park Belfast City Marathon for Action Mental Health again.

From competing in the Belfast City Marathon last year where he achieved his 250th sub 4hr marathon for Action Mental Health out of his total at the time, which then stood at 740 official marathons, he has since added another 60 official marathons to this total. This will amount to 800 on the day of the Belfast City Marathon on Sunday 4 May 2025.

Oggie running to support mental health

As well as being such a long-time supporter of Action Mental Health, Oggie has also ran a lot of marathons for other charities, including:

World Cancer Research, Action Cancer, Age Concern, Air Ambulance, Southern Area Hospice, McMillan Cancer Support, Foyle Hospice, PIPS, Marie Curie Cancer Care, The Donkey Sanctuary, Simon Community, Aware, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Northern Ireland Hospice, The Rainbow Project and Pretty in Pink.

This year, just one week before Belfast City Marathon, Oggie has also ran the London Marathon on 27 April. He revealed,

“I feel quite blessed and lucky that I am fit enough to always qualify for the bigger major marathons” explaining that he does not have a coach or a personal trainer, preferring to conduct the hard training work under his own steam in all weather conditions.

With a strict and demanding training regime, Oggie looks to future potential achievements with a measured approach saying,

“I take each day at a time and while I train on a daily basis and keep myself at optimum fitness, I’m realistic about my goals and how I may achieve them. I ran my first marathon on my 55th Birthday, which was at the Belfast City Marathon in 2012 and I had no prior sporting history before this time, not even in my school days. I know how important exercise in general is for mental health; it’s great for mind, body and soul. Aside of my accomplishments, if I can encourage others to make sport a part of their lives, even in a small way, I will have achieved my greatest goal of all.

Adding, “We all need encouragement, it’s just that important; runners share and help one another, and I’m often asked how I do it. To this day other runners and bystanders all give me the inspiration to keep going.”

Oggie running for mental health services

Jonathan Smyth, Head of Communications & Fundraising, Action Mental Health said: “As a loyal supporter of Action Mental Health, Oggie reached out once again to let us know about his new personal challenge and we are absolutely thrilled to have his support and generosity once again. Oggie has pledged to donate £800 to support our vital mental health services, when he completes his challenge. We know that running, and indeed all physical activity is a great way of supporting your mental health, so we are particularly delighted to be the beneficiary of this amazing challenge and we wish Oggie well.”

In conclusion, Oggie said,

“I hope that my efforts will inspire other people to become active. I firmly believe exercising and keeping active can help not just our physical health but our mental health too. This is why I thought what better way to celebrate than to donate money from the Moy Park Belfast City Marathon to Action Mental Health, to help support the important work they do across Northern Ireland.”

If you feel inspired by Oggie’s story, run today for someone’s brighter tomorrow. Join #TeamActionMentalHealth and raise vital funds for mental health services in Northern Ireland. For more information, email [email protected].

10K Steps a Day in May

This May, let’s take action for mental health – one step at a time!

Join Action Mental Health in our Step Up for Mental Health campaign by committing to 10,000 steps a day throughout #NationalWalkingMonth in May. It’s a simple, yet powerful way to prioritize your mental and physical wellbeing, all while raising vital funds for mental health services.

Get involved and start walking, raising awareness, and making a difference in the lives of those affected by mental ill-health.

Sign up now, to get your special challenge t-shirt by clicking here and together, we can Step Up for Mental Health!

eating disorders

Challenging body image this Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Craigavon Travellers Support Committee enjoy ‘thought-provoking’ BodyTalk session from Action Mental Health

eating disorders
Action Mental Health project worker, Deborah McCready (L), who helps to deliver the charity’s eating disorders support, pictured with Shauna Duggan (R) from the SHSCT’s Eating Disorders Team.

Young people from Craigavon Travellers Support Committee have taken part in an interactive workshop from Action Mental Health aimed at raising awareness and understanding of eating disorders.

The BodyTalk session was delivered as part of the charity’s ongoing work within this area and to link in with Eating Disorders Awareness Week (February 24 – March 2). The girls who participated in the event – aged between 11 and 17 years old – subsequently discussed the body image concerns they faced in today’s society, along with the various pressures experienced by young people generally online.

Leeann Stewart, Youth worker with Craigavon Travellers Support Committee, said: “We had the privilege of welcoming Action Mental Health to deliver a beautiful and thought-provoking session on body talk. The session was empowering, sparking open conversations about how we see ourselves – and the pressures placed upon us. We are so proud of the young women in this group for their courage and willingness to challenge unrealistic beauty standards. Let’s continue lifting each other up and embracing who we are, exactly as we are!”

In 2019, The Mental Health Foundation and YouGov (2019) found that 37% of teenagers felt upset about their body image, while 31% also felt ashamed. Meanwhile, 40% of teenagers said images on social media caused them to worry about their body image.

“Research like this highlights the need for intervention and prevention at an early age,” said Deborah McCready, project worker with Action Mental Health’s eating disorders support team.

“The session with Craigavon Travellers Support Committee went really well. We made it very interactive and the young girls talked about issues which directly impacted them, like social media and some of the pressures that young people are facing today. We had open conversations about the way we can negatively talk to ourselves and how we’re often not aware of the impact that has on our self-esteem. That was a really practical thing the girls could take away – just being aware of how they speak to themselves and to practice more self-compassion.”