The Yass Valley Men’s Shed was honoured with the Mental Health Promotion and Wellbeing Award as part of Mental Health Month in October hosted by the Mental Health Association of NSW. The award recognises excellence and innovation in initiatives that focus on mental health promotion, prevention of mental ill-health or early intervention.
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The award comes courtesy of the nomination by Richard Rowan, a local consultant psychologist and member of Men’s Shed. In his submission, Rowan made the following concluding remarks:
"I truly believe The Yass Valley Men’s Shed deserves to be recognised as providing significant assistance to men in our communities, by reducing the impact of mental health issues and improving their quality of life, which allows a more robust commitment and involvement in family and community.”
Secretary Wayne Stuart says the award is a testament to the hard work by advocates of men’s health in Yass and other rural areas.
“Richard is highly qualified in this area and has the advantage of seeing, from an expert clinical perspective, how the Men’s Shed in general, and the Yass Shed in particular, operates to provide men in country towns with opportunities for socialisation, friendship, engagement and an ongoing worthwhile place in society,” he said.
Stuart says it is the Men Shed’s relaxed supportive environment – rather than clinical counselling or intervention – that add to its success.
“It is the nature of the place – men mixing, being able to talk to friends and being supportive – that provides all of these good things and they all happen automatically,” he said.
More information about the Men’s Shed events visit: www.yassmensshed.org.au.