S1. Ep36 Men's Emotional Health After Retirement: Exploring the Benefits of The Men's Shed Organization with Stephen Look"

S1. Ep36 Men's Emotional Health After Retirement: Exploring the Benefits of The Men's Shed Organization with Stephen Look"

Relationship breakdown, retrenchment or early retirement from a job, loss of children following divorce, physical or mental illness…. These are just some of the problems that men may find difficult to deal with on their own.  Most older men in particular have grown up in a culture where they don’t talk about feelings and emotions, don’t generally ask for help, and seldom take a vested interest in their own health and well-being. And it’s probably because of this, that many older men are less healthy than women, drink more, take more risks, and suffer more from isolation, loneliness, and depression. And that is why, we’re excited to have Stephen Look joining us today to talk about a wonderful worldwide organization called The Mens Shed. For those unfamiliar with Men’s Sheds, they promote healthy aging by providing an avenue for men to be productive, contribute to the community, connect with friends, and maintain an active body and mind, all in an atmosphere of old-fashioned mate-ship. ……. Stephen, a quirky ex-air traffic controller who doesn't like flying, is a secretary at Carina Men's Shed.  He says that other than his wife Leanne, he doesn’t have any passions, believing they can blinker you to possibilities. Besides the men’s shed, he’s involved with the Australian electoral commission, is a casual proctor at a Uni, enjoys lawn bowls and travel, and..… helps a local theatre group with props and scenery. Who said retirement was boring?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Where did this attitude about passions come from?
2. What led you to the Mens Shed and your role as secretary of a branch
3. How has Mens Shed grown since it first started in Goolwa South Australia in 1993.. specifically what new initiatives have been introduced (for instance, guest speakers, outings, etc)
4. With it now being worldwide, are there ever overseas trips to meet up with other groups
5. What ‘need' is the Mens Shed fulfilling for its members (emotionally, mentally, physically)
6. What happens at individual Men's Sheds - are they all doing the same activities - or why are they different
7. Are younger men also members - is there a purpose behind cross-generational connections at the sheds (is it encouraged)
8. Any other information that you think will be relevant in supporting older men generally
9. A final word of advice to any man out there who has retired and is feeling lost 

LINKS

Australian Mens Shed Association https://mensshed.org/

World Wide Sheds https://mensshed.org/about-mens-sheds/mens-sheds-around-the-world/

Ironing Out the Wrinkles WEBSITE

Guest Line-up https://www.rosmcmaster.com/guestlineup

Meet Ros & Cate https://www.rosmcmaster.com/meetrosandcate

Ros's self-help memoir: From Shadows to Light  https://www.rosmcmaster.com/fromshadowstolight 

Email Ros McMaster [e-mail]