The Canadian Mental Health Association 鈥� Vernon & District Branch celebrated the addition of Men鈥檚 Shed to its programs Tuesday night at the CMHA Vernon Branch Conference Room.
Men鈥檚 Shed Vernon started two years ago by a group of senior men who saw the need for socialization and productivity for local men in retirement. This September, the group formally partnered with CMHA Vernon as one of the organization鈥檚 program offerings.
鈥淲e are excited to partner with Men鈥檚 Shed to bring greater awareness of senior men鈥檚 mental health to the community and provide a space and opportunity for senior men to thrive with purpose,鈥� said Julia Payson, CMHA Vernon Executive Director.
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According to a 2017 BC Coroner鈥檚 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 males.
鈥淲hen men reach retirement age, they often find themselves socially isolated. Men鈥檚 Shed is about connecting men to each other and to the larger community,鈥� said Payson.
With a mission to build meaning and well-being in men鈥檚 lives by engaging hands, hearts and minds, Men鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.
鈥淭his is important to give back and to inject some youthful vitality into the group,鈥� 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 benefiting the community with purposeful projects.
鈥淲e want to build Men鈥檚 Shed as a destination for guys in Vernon who are really living,鈥� 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 who provides free space and equipment, and Fishers Hardware who provide discounted tools and supplies.
Men鈥檚 Shed meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Elephant Storage, 6136 Okanagan Ave. For more information, .
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