QUB School of Nursing and Midwifery

QUB Wellbeing Ambassadors MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH PODCAST

Real conversations. Real people. Real impact.

This Men's Health Awareness Month, hear from male student nurses, male staff, the Students' Union Wellbeing Advisor, and AWARE as they share experiences, insights, and support around men's mental health and wellbeing.

💙 Breaking stigma
💙 Raising awareness
💙 Encouraging conversations
💙 Promoting support

Because talking about mental health is a sign of strength, not weakness.








What advice would you give to another man about looking after their mental health?

https://tinyurl.com/3bfncfz6

Delightful celebration event on Tuesday 30th June 2026, dedicated by the Association of British Paediatric Nurses (ABPN) to recognise the work of children's nurses across the UK, was launched at Queen's University Belfast. Pictures capture Year 2 children's nursing students, alongside teaching profession and guests.

Many thanks to everyone who made this 'special day' happen.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery is delighted to introduce two new postgraduate microcredentials designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to address some of the most important challenges facing healthcare today.

✅️ Digital Health Innovation in Practice ✅️
https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/microcredentials/courses/DigitalHealthInnovationinPractice.html
Led by Dr Mark Dornan, this programme addresses the growing need for digital capability across healthcare. Learners will explore digital health, data, innovation, and artificial intelligence, developing the confidence to use emerging technologies safely, ethically, and effectively in practice.

✅️ Sustainable Healthcare and Planetary Health
https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/microcredentials/courses/SustainableHealthcareandPlanetaryHealth.html
Co-Led by Dr Gary Mitchell and Nuala McLaughlin-Borlace, this programme examines the relationship between planetary health, sustainability, wellbeing, and professional practice. Learners will explore how healthcare organisations and services can respond to climate and environmental challenges while promoting equity, resilience, and improved outcomes for people and communities.
Both programmes are delivered fully online and provide flexible postgraduate study opportunities for healthcare professionals seeking to develop expertise in emerging areas of practice.

📅 Starting September 2026
Level 7 | 20 CATS | 12 Weeks | Online
Whether your passion is shaping the digital future of healthcare or creating more sustainable health systems, these microcredentials offer an exciting opportunity to develop specialist knowledge and make a meaningful impact in practice.

Please see the website for more information: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/microcredentials/

Queen’s has climbed 25 places in the QS World University Rankings 2027, now ranked 174th globally (top 175 worldwide) and 26th in the UK – its highest ever percentile position (top 11.6%)

The university also saw a major boost in employer reputation, rising 83 places, reflecting the strong employability of its graduates.

This recognition highlights Queen’s continued excellence in education, research, and student outcomes, with 93% of graduates in work or further study within 15 months.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/News/Allnews/2026/qs-rankings-2027.html?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_term=news_story&utm_content=photo&utm_campaign=commsCorp

Watch this video and find out more about our exciting opportunity to be involved in a Photovoice project with Belmont University.

Students can learn more and sign up to the project from the Student Hub - https://qubstudentcloud.sharepoint.com/sites/stu-snam/SitePages/Exciting-Opportunity-to-be-involved-in-a-project-with-Belmont-University.aspx

Photovoice Research Study Discussion-20260617_180138-Meeting Recording.mp4

To celebrate , Becky Williamson (Teaching Fellow and RNLD) hosted a Lived Experience Talking Café, bringing together students, staff, people with learning disabilities, families and advocates to share experiences, ask questions and learn from one another.

At the heart of the event was a simple belief: the voices of people with learning disabilities and those closest to them should help shape the education of future healthcare professionals. Some of the most powerful learning comes not from textbooks, but from hearing directly about people's experiences of healthcare, what has worked well, and what still needs to change.

Through conversations about communication, diagnostic overshadowing, inclusion and health needs, attendees were encouraged to reflect on how small changes in practice can have a significant impact on the lives of people with learning disabilities.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and experiences so openly and honestly. Your insight challenged us, inspired us and helped us better understand what good healthcare looks like.

Because sometimes the most important thing we can do as healthcare professionals is stop, listen and learn.

💜 Voices. Experiences. Inclusion.

A big thank you to our guest speakers, Gerard McWilliamson (honorary lecturer), Patrina Loughran (RNLD) and Ciara Hughes (Lead Nurse) both nurses work within the Southern HSCT

A special thank you for our student volumeters, Lauen Holland and Katie McCrea, both second year learning disability student nurses. Finally thank you to Mairead Ryan and the rest of the QUBSONM staff for your support.

🎓 Dr Sid Dempsey Student Prize Now Open

The Dr Sid Dempsey Student Prize, established by The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity CCUC, will be awarded to three pre registration Children and Young People’s Nursing students.

📚 Who can apply
Pre registration Children and Young People’s Nursing students

📝 What to submit
A 500 word reflective piece on your experience of looking after a child or young person with cancer

🏆 Prizes
First prize £1000
Second prize £500
Third prize £250

📅 Deadline
10th July

🔗 Apply now
http://go.qub.ac.uk/SDPrize26

Read SONM’s latest article in The Conversation Boys want to challenge harmful ideas about manhood – working with them, not lecturing them, is the key

Boys want to challenge harmful ideas about manhood – working with them, not lecturing them, is the key Boys want to change the narrative, and education is vital in helping them.

Gareth Southgates’s BBC documentary this week on changing the game for boys was truly inspiring.

But it didn’t mention girls - or relationship and sexuality education, an important part….

Prof Lohan of our School responds: “Changing the game for boys means also giving them the skills for safe and healthy relationships. It will benefit them and the girls and women in their lives too”. Read our School’s latest article

Boys want to challenge harmful ideas about manhood – working with them, not lecturing them, is the key Boys want to change the narrative, and education is vital in helping them.