New research on the health status of Canadian men has produced sobering statistics regarding the number of premature deaths and the social and economic impacts of these years lost to preventable causes. Although there are many reasons underlying this important issue, key contributing factors include the reluctance of many men to seek help for physical or mental problems they may be experiencing and that men are less inclined to participate in screening or prevention programs.  

 

For older men, the issue is often compounded by age-related illnesses and physical decline, and challenges such as widowhood or divorce, retirement, and other life changes that can contribute to social isolation, loss of purpose, anxiety, and/or depression. This session will demonstrate how Men’s Sheds are on the frontline of promoting and supporting men’s health and wellness, whether proactively through presentations, projects, workshops, and webinars, or through the “health by stealth” manner of Shed members reaping the benefits of having somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to talk with. New research and case studies will be presented that demonstrate how Men’s Sheds benefit the men who participate as well as their communities.  

 

A Men’s Shed is a group of men who get together in their community to develop new skills, discover new interests, and make new friends. A Men’s Shed is grounded in the idea that men communicate more effectively when they’re “shoulder to shoulder” with other men. Shed members cross age, culture, and socioeconomic status, and no two Sheds are quite alike. Some Shedders gather in a workshop to build and fix things. Others focus on hiking or gardening or cooking. Most team up with local organizations to do special projects that support their community. But what all Sheds have in common is a welcoming environment where men create shared experiences, celebrate accomplishments, and build community. In Canada there are now over 150 Men’s Sheds and this number is increasing significantly with the support of Men’s Sheds Canada and several provincial Men’s Shed associations.  

 

Objectives:

• Participants will learn about the origins and global growth of the Men’s Shed movement and its effectiveness in improving older men’s health and wellbeing.

• Participants will learn about new Canadian research regarding Addressing the Mental Health, Social Confidence, and Isolation of Older Men through insights gained from a scoping review, preliminary survey data, and focus group findings.

• Participants will understand the broader community impacts of Men’s Sheds through discussions of case studies on Mental Health; Intergenerational Programs; Community Partnerships; and Healthcare Cost Savings. 

• Participants will contribute to discussions about research opportunities related to older men’s health and wellness and how they may support advocacy efforts related to men’s health policy in Canada.