Page 1238 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 7 May 2014
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at some point in their lives one in eight men will experience some form of depression, and that there are many triggers to this, including retirement, day-to-day stresses, family breakdown, isolation, unemployment, financial troubles and alcohol and drug use. These triggers are almost impossible to avoid, which is why we need support mechanisms for those who suffer from resulting mental illness.
Men often experience health issues differently to women. There are also differences in how men respond and seek out support services. Men are generally more likely to seek help later rather than earlier; they are less likely to know what help is out there or how to access it; and they may often feel personally weak if they experience a physical or mental health issue. The “Toughen up; be a man” message is persistent in our community. Unfortunately, it means that some men still suffer poor mental health or other treatable diseases without seeking appropriate help and support.
What the men’s sheds do is target activities and support to men, providing an environment to support social interaction, sharing of skills and interests and emotional wellbeing. Shed activities provide the benefits of keeping physically and mentally active for men whose experiences put them at risk of health difficulties. More than this; the sheds are building resilience in men to help them through future challenges and provide the support network through which to get help and advice.
Canberra, like the rest of Australia, is experiencing a rapid increase in the age of its population. The male population aged 65 and over is forecast to increase by 47 per cent from 2011 to 2019, a major demographic change which will bring with it significant challenges. This population ageing suggests that there will be an increasing demand for access to networks of men’s sheds—another reason why it is a good time now to look at the actions needed to ensure their sustainability into the longer term.
One aspect responding well to change is the online environment. The Australian Men’s Shed Association has partnered with Beyondblue to develop “Shed online”. It has become the largest men’s shed of all, and you can see in the discussion forums that it is a valuable place, particularly for those feeling isolated, to engage with a larger support network. More than 8,000 users, also known as shedders, are now registered on the website. It is a large hub of information, activities, contacts and even a men’s shed YouTube channel. This proactive online presence is great to see and is likely to grow in importance as an avenue for governments to provide information and support to the sheds and their members.
I am really pleased to support Mr Gentleman’s motion today and his call for further government work to support local men’s sheds. We should all recognise their contribution to the health and wellbeing of men and the broader community. We should also see them as a valuable partner in providing important health and community services to the people in the community who may otherwise be missed. I commend the motion to the Assembly.
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (5.52): I would like to thank Mr Gentleman for bringing this motion forward today because I think, as members have commented and as we all know and have experienced, Canberra’s men’s sheds are a tremendous community asset. Certainly, I have had the terrific opportunity in the past to go to the Melba Men’s Shed. I know that the people who were present there that day were
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