Teesside Men's Sheds helps tackle poor mental health
They put on community workshops to chat and connect
People in Teesside are being reminded that mental health support is out there in the form of Men's Sheds.
Its aim is to put on community workshops to chat and connect to tackle the feelings of loneliness and isolation.
It comes as MPs are going to examine factors that contribute to high rates of male suicide today.
David Shepherd is from The Shed in Redcar and Cleveland, which does woodwork, and he said: "I haven't been able to work for around nine years and it offers me my old sort of working environment, with the same sort of laughing and jokes that I used to have at work, but it just gives me the ability to have some form of connection with other people.
"The Shed's allowed me to go back to some of my skills that I'd lost. It allowed me to grow them back again, and it's just allowed me to vent in terms of getting some manual work out of me and some physical attributes out rather than just walking.
"People come in and they seem to be a bit down and maybe after a few weeks they seem to pick up a bit. The Shed allows people to open up and come out of their shell a bit more. If you've been isolated or you don't see many people, you come here maybe once or twice a week and associate with other people rather than your wife or carer or whatever.
"I'd say just go in and try it even if you don't think it's your thing because we do woodwork and stuff. You may not like that but just try it. The one thing it's not going to do is that it's not going to make you feel any worse. If there's that small chance of it making you feel a little bit better, it's always worth it."
To find out more visit their Facebook page or website. The Shed is also open to women too.
The inquiry
Factors that contribute to high rates of suicide among men will be probed in the first session of the inquiry into men’s mental and physical health.
The men’s health inquiry will consider evidence that shows three times as many men as women die by suicide, which is also the leading cause of death in men under 35. While suicide rates for women almost halved over the past 40 years, among men the rate has fallen by just 17%.
Risk factors for poor mental health among men and supporting services available will be explored with representatives from UK Men’s Sheds Association and Mates in Mind.
Future sessions will focus on why men have poorer health outcomes, with life expectancy consistently lower than that of women by nearly four years. Men face an increased risk of dying from cancer and account for 75% of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease. Barriers to men accessing health or screening services will also be considered.
The inquiry, which was launched in July, will examine what can be done to address underlying issues to improve prospects for men and all aspects of their health.
Witnesses
From 09.45:
• Joy Hibbins, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Suicide Crisis
• Anthony Davis, Therapist and Registered Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists
From 10.35:
• Charlie Bethel, Chief Executive Officer of UK Men’s Sheds Association
• Tim Taylor, Head of Public Health at Leeds City Council
• Sarah Meek, Managing Director of Mates in Mind