Ladies, stay clear of a man’s shed

Some men are often reluctant to open up about what is bothering them. This reluctance to talk has been singled out as a stumbling block in improving the health prognosis of Australian men.

It has prompted men’s peer support networks to call on men of all ages, particularly the elderly, to join a ‘Men’s Shed’.

Men’s Sheds give men a place where they can connect and put their skills to good use.

If you have ever looked inside one you might see a number of men restoring furniture, bicycles for a local school, fixing lawn mowers or making a kids cubby house for Camp Quality.

You will also see comfortable areas where men can sit and talk, or an area where men can learn to cook for themselves or learn how to contact their families by computer.

The effectiveness and importance of men’s sheds were highlighted at a Sydney aged care conference attended by DPS eNews in April, where a video presentation showed many Men’s Sheds across Australia, and members speaking of the life-changing experiences as a result of the presence of the sheds.

The media, this week, highlighted the benefits of Men’s Sheds and its ability to help men, especially the elderly, overcome depression, grief and loneliness.

The ambassador of the Australian Men’s Shed Association, Tim Mathieson, this week, urged men of all ages to visit their local shed.

He said the members of more than 500 sheds across the nation can play a “greater health advocacy role”.

“We are very proud that men’s sheds can be an umbrella organisation to encompass all the different health aspects that men may not want to talk about,” Mr Mathieson said.

A new study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has highlighted the need for these kinds of community support networks.

The report also found close to 5% of all Australian men rated their health as poor and close to half have had a mental health condition.

Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, said the outlook for most men is also far from positive.

“Four out of five Australian men say that their health is less than excellent. That’s 80%, that’s nearly nine million men and it’s really, really very important we use the networks of Men’s Sheds across this country to highlight the capacity for men to get more information about their health and their community’s health,” Mr Snowdon said.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report findings:

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men, followed by lung cancer.
• Male life expectancy (79 years) lags five years behind women.
• Only 5% of males eat enough fruit and vegetables.
• More than half of all men are overweight or obese.
• Australian men make fewer GP visits than women and 16% of males do not use any Medicare services in a year.
• You will find more men in emergency departments than women.

Are you a member of a Men’s Shed or do you know anyone who is? Let us know in the comment box below.