For many of us, a shed is little more than an outhouse in which to keep gardening equipment, but to some people it represents a lot more than that. The Men’s Shed movement started in 1999 in Australia and quickly spread across the world – there are now over 2000 Men’s Sheds in existence. But these aren’t just any ordinary sheds – they’re about community and a chance to bond with other men. In this blog we take a closer look at just how Men’s Sheds benefit their members, especially when it comes to mental health.
What exactly is a Men’s Shed?
Men’s Sheds are exactly that – sheds, but for men. Like a typical garden shed, they can be places to use tools, practice skills, or spend leisure time – but unlike typical sheds, Men’s Sheds are about community, and they support physical and mental health by fostering creativity, skill-sharing, and social connection. While most are male-focused, about a third include women, and some are even exclusively for women. They encourage activities such as gardening, computing, and electronics, and being community spaces means that members can share and access all different kinds of tools and equipment, as well learn from the know-how of others.
While most Men’s Sheds are grassroots developments, some organisations such as local businesses and churches have started their own Men’s Sheds. Organisations may even support an independent Shed by underwriting its finances or offering management services.
Men’s struggles with mental health
While men and women alike can suffer from the same mental health problems, they are often coloured by the societal expectations of their gender.
Men, who are often expected to present themselves as strong, independent and stoic, may find it more difficult than women to open up and form emotional connections, especially with other men. They are less likely to seek professional help for problems such as anxiety and depression, and so are more likely to be diagnosed with substance abuse disorders and antisocial behaviours than women.
The mental health benefits of Men’s Sheds
Many older men find it harder to build social connections than women, and may not have close friends to confide in about health or personal worries. For some, retirement can feel like a loss of identity and purpose, especially if they have no family. But Men’s Sheds can offer a fresh start, as a welcoming space to connect, share, create, and rediscover meaning through friendship and community. They allow men to meet like-minded people, as well as share their worries and woes, for companionship and perhaps even learning a new skill. This has the benefit of reducing loneliness and isolation (factors that often contribute to depression), and also allows for men to share their problems with others – the first step to treatment and recovery for mental health issues. In this way, Men’s Sheds can help to save lives.