Spreading sexual health awareness this Pride with Man2Man - Proud and Prepared: A Community Collaboration

This Pride year, Man2Man's focus is on spotlighting health and well-being to ensure everyone can be Proud and Prepared throughout the summer. To achieve this goal, they're launching the 'Proud and Prepared' initiative, a collaborative effort between LGBT community organisations like Gay Health Network & Man2Man.ie, BelongTo, LINQ, Gay Men's Health Service (GMHS), and Dublin Pride.

Their mission is to raise awareness about available health and wellbeing services catering to various needs such as sexual health, mental health, physical health, and substance use support. Through our collective experience, we emphasise the important connection between a healthy body and mind, positively influencing every aspect of our lives.

What’s New in Sexual Health?

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Prevention

Preventing the spread of STIs and HIV starts with awareness and taking charge of our sexual health through safer practices. Here are some tips:

● Mpox – get vaccinated! Mpox is still circulating and the best way to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated. You can find out more about how to arrange a vaccination at man2man.ie/mpox

● Consistent condom use: Ensure you use condoms during sexual activities, especially with new or multiple partners. You can find out where you can access free condoms at man2man.ie/freecondoms

● Regular STI testing: Regular STI testing is essential. Testing options include free home STI tests, in-clinic testing, and rapid testing for HIV. Learn more at man2man.ie/testing.

● Practise good hygiene: Little things like washing your hands and private areas before and after sex can help stop the spread of some STIs like shigella. Learn at man2man.ie/shigella

● Start HIV PEP if exposed to HIV: HIV PEP is a 28-day course of tablets thatis recommended as soon as possible after a potential HIV exposure to prevent HIV infection. Learn more about HIV PEP at man2man.ie/hivpep.

● Don’t let an appointment go to waste: Sometimes, even the best laid plans don’t work out. If you have an appointment with the clinic and you can’t make it, try to let them know. Someone will be delighted to take your slot!

For further sexual health and wellbeing information, visit man2man.ie. Remember, sexual health is not just about avoiding or treating illness; it’s about feeling good in all aspects of your sexuality.

Our Mental Health

As aptly stated by the World Health Organisation, "There is no health without mental health." A useful way of thinking about your mental health is to see it as a scale or a spectrum, ranging from good mental health and wellbeing on one end to poor mental health on the other. We are all somewhere along this spectrum of good mental health to poor mental health.

BelongTo offers comprehensive support services for LGBTQ+ youth, covering mental health resources, sexual health information, and drug and alcohol support. Further details can be
found at belongto.org. Additionally, a list of mental health resources is available at lgbt.ie, while at man2man.ie/wellbeing we look at vulnerabilities and offer tips for maintaining good
mental health.

Staying physically active is one of the best ways to maintain good mental health. Whether it's hitting the gym, going for a run, or simply taking a walk, regular physical activity significantly enhances energy levels, mood, and sleep quality.

Joining a running club like Dublin Front Runners is a fantastic way to stay fit and meet new people. They are an inclusive and welcoming bunch, and running with them can be a great boost to both your physical and mental health.

Mark Armstrong, Chair of Dublin Front Runners, shares," Our club is known for its friendly and supportive atmosphere. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned runner, you’ll find a place here. Plus, some of our members even come from outside Dublin because they feel so welcome! Come join us for a run and see for yourself how great it can be!" Get involved at dublinfrontrunners.ie.

Drugs and Alcohol

While drugs and alcohol may feature in some celebrations, understanding their effects is paramount to maintaining our health and well-being.

Brenda, the drugs and alcohol youth worker with BelongTo, offers the following advice: “Pride is a time to celebrate ourselves proudly and loudly! Here's how to ensure the celebrations are both enjoyable and safe, whether it's your first Pride or your tenth.”

Some tips:

● Use the buddy system to stay safe and ensure everyone gets home.

● Be mindful of your environment and plan to use substances in a safe place.

● Know your limits and pace yourself to avoid problems.

● Drink responsibly, stay hydrated, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

● Don't mix substances to help avoid dangerous outcomes.

● Stay hydrated and eat well to keep your body in good shape.

● Learn the signs of overdose and how to respond, and seek help if needed.

For those struggling with substance use, BelongTo provides a dedicated drugs and alcohol support service, offering assistance and guidance in a free, confidential, and non-judgmental manner. For more information, visit belongto.org

Advice and Resources Around Chemsex

Chemsex is a reality, it can be great fun and a good time. But we need to tread carefully at this intersection of sex and drugs. By educating and empowering ourselves, looking out for each other, and making smart choices, we can enjoy our experiences while minimising potential harm. Start low, go slow, mind yourself, and look out for others is a good starting point.

The team at MPOWER have devised a Sex Party First Aid Guide so we can all enjoy the party safely. You can access the guide and avail of peer support at mpower.hivireland.ie

There is also a community lead updated harm reduction G/GHB/GBL Harm Reduction Booklet, which offers guidance for those who use G. From tips on safer dosing and recognising the signs of overdose to strategies for reducing dependency and navigating comedowns, this booklet contains vital information to help keep you safer.

Our newest chemsex resource is the must-listen " PozVibe Podcast: Chem Sessions ”, hosted by HIV activists Robbie Lawlor and Veda. This series delves into the topic of chemsex in the gbMSM community with candid conversations and insightful interviews.

Expect honest, deeply moving personal stories, all delivered with Robbie and Veda's signature wit. It's a refreshingly open and non-judgmental exploration of sex and drugs within the queer community.

Asked what they wanted to achieve with the series, Veda shared, “We want to provide some Chemsex education with an eye on harm reduction. We also want to reduce the shame and stigma associated with queer sex & drugs, talk about consent, our mental health and nurture a culture of care at the Chemsex party and in the come down days that inevitably follow the session.”

Check out PozVibe.com to find all about the PozVibe Tribe and the magnificent work they are doing fighting HIV Stigma.

Man2Man also offers harm reduction guidance on chemsex, meth, G, cocaine, ketamine, and other drugs at man2man.ie/drugs. Harm reduction advice is also available at drugs.ie

For more information and resources on staying healthy in body and mind, visit proudandprepared.ie.

Man2Man.ie is administered by the Gay Health Network (GHN) in conjunction with the Health Services Executive (HSE). It is part of the ‘National HIV Prevention and Sexual Health Awareness Programme for MSM’. The programme a joint initiative of the GHN and the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) is funded under the National Sexual Health Strategy (NSHS).

Further details on the programme and GHN at www.ghn.ie and for HSE SHCPP at sexualwellbeing.ie

Note: Man2Man and GHN do not offer direct telephone support. If you need help or advice we suggest you contact MPOWER, The Switchboard Ireland or any of those listed in the testing and support section'