Men are invited to take part in a major attitudinal study launched by the Men’s Development Network (MDN) as it marks 25 years of work in the field of men’s health, wellbeing and the transformation of masculinities.

The Men’s Attitudes Now (MAN) survey is conducted with input from Equimindo, a global leader in engaging men and boys to promote gender equality and prevent violence.

Its aim is to better understand what men think of themselves, how they feel perceived by society and how they feel about specific issues related to being male in Ireland.

Dr. Noel Richardson, director of the National Center for Men’s Health at South East Technological University (SETU), is urging men to participate in the survey.

The Carlow-based academic undertook pioneering research into the health and wellbeing of Irish farmers, including the report that led to the Engage ‘On Feirm Ground’ training initiative now being rolled out across the country for frontline agricultural advisors equipped with the skills to engage farmers on their health and well-being.

He is also a member of the operational group of experts overseeing FarmConnect, a soon to be launched European Innovation Partnership (EIP) pilot project with similar objectives targeting ‘hard to reach’ farmers. MDN played a leading role in both of these programs.

Dr Richardson is a former international long distance runner who was a physical trainer for the Kilkenny four-man hurling team in the 2000s.

Coming from a dairy farming background in Ahane, Co. Limerick, he has made it his mission to uncover the reasons why, statistically, so many men in farming communities are disproportionately affected by health issues. and well-being.

men’s health

Dr Richardson has worked as a Men’s Health Policy Advisor to the Health Service Executive (HSE) since 2005 and was the lead author of the first ever National Men’s Health Policy, published in Ireland four years later.

He co-authored the first EU report on men’s health in 2011 and his research interests include gender and health, mental health and suicide prevention in men.

“This is a very interesting and useful exercise that has the potential to inform policy improvements supporting men’s health and wellbeing,” Dr. Richardson said, while encouraging people to participate.

“This is an important opportunity to find out what men in Ireland really think about a variety of issues, including traditional masculinities, contemporary peer pressures and the Irish male’s sense of belonging in society at large. a time of change and challenge for men of all ages.

“I eagerly await the results of this valuable research.”

DND

Since its inception in 1997, MDN has been at the forefront of advocating for the creation of a gender equal society.

Running a range of programmes, the Waterford-based non-governmental organization (NGO) works through a strengths-based community development model to create better lives for men and boys, their families, friends and communities across the country. ‘Ireland.

The survey, entirely anonymous, is open to men across the island from the age of 18 and targets a representative demographic sample of 1,000 respondents.

Many of the questions focus on the social conditioning and influences that affect men and their relationships in modern Ireland, meaning the results will be of great interest to women as well.

The survey is estimated to take 15-20 minutes to complete.