Men’s Shed helping to reduce isolation

A program to help improve the mental health of senior men is now under the growing umbrella of services offered through Vernon’s Canadian Mental Health Association.

‘Men’s Shed Vernon’ started two years ago by a group of retired men who saw the need for socialization and productivity.

“We are excited to partner with Men’s Shed to bring greater awareness of senior men’s mental health to the community and provide a space and opportunity for senior men to thrive with purpose,” said Julia Payson, CMHA Vernon Executive Director.

According to a 2017 B.C. Coroner’s report, males accounted for 75 per cent of suicide deaths that year.

The highest age-specific suicide death rate was among 50 to 59-year-old men.

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When men reach retirement age, they often find themselves socially isolated. Men’s Shed is about connecting men to each other and to the larger community,” said Payson.

With a mission to build meaning and well-being in men’s lives by engaging hands, hearts and minds, Men’s Shed members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests to work on individual and community projects. They have built tables for a youth camp, a gazebo for a women’s shelter, refinished benches for a nature centre and refurbished a sailboat. Members also build benches, toys and have recently been supplying a local sign maker with wooden lettering.

Men’s Shed is hoping to establish a social enterprise to help fund the group. The group has also partnered with the Vernon Community School to mentor students. One of their current projects has one of the members working with a student to build a custom guitar.

“This is important to give back and to inject some youthful vitality into the group,” said founding member Ray Verlage.

Verlage says he hopes to see significant growth over the next five years, aiming for a membership of 300 senior men sharing their skills and working together to improve their health and well-being while benefitting the community with purposeful projects.

“We want to build Men’s Shed as a destination for guys in Vernon who are really living,” he said.

Initial funding has come from the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan, a federal government grant and individual donors. Local businesses have offered support including Elephant Storage which provides free space and equipment, and Fishers Hardware who provide discounted tools and supplies.

Men’s Shed meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Elephant Storage located at 6136 Okanagan Avenue.

For more information, www.mensshedvernon.ca