MEN are being asked to roll up their sleeves for a different sort of work this week. Working towards better physical and mental health.
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Men's Health Week is an important week that highlights men's health and the lack of communication and action.
Men are far less likely to talk about their health, or even visit their GP for a check up.
Men's Shed groups are a important platform not only for men to socialise but also to feel at ease talking about their health.
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Stawell Men's Shed secretary Robert Wright said it's important to focus on Men's Health Week.
"Men are the worst at dealing with their own problems," he said.
"They're the slowest to go to the doctor, the slowest to admit they've got depression."
Mr Wright said getting men to talk about their health can be really hard.
"A lot of men just don't want to talk about their problems," he said.
"The best way to get men to talk is what we do at the men's shed.
"Let them come along and in normal conversation hope if they have any issues they'll start talking about them."
Mr Wright, who had been involved in Stawell's Men's Shed for 12 years said some members would never even leave their homes if not for the Men's Shed.
"The biggest problem is isolation," he said.
"We encourage people to join and help us with projects or work on little projects of their own."
Mr Wright said a good start for the community to help out with men's health is to introduce yourself to your neighbour.
"A start is to say hello to your next door neighbour and start a conversation," he said.
"If people become more confident in people they are talking with, they are more inclined to open up about their issues."
"If people become more confident in people they are talking with, they are more inclined to open up about their issues."
- Robert Wright, Stawell Men's Shed
This year's theme for Men's Health Week is "Connecting for Men's Health" and to connect and work together across genders, cultures and communities.
Men's Health Week is an important week that highlights the health of Australian men and boys, because the health status of males in most countries, including Australia, is generally poorer than that of females.
Grampians Community Health chief executive officer, Greg Little said connections can be vital to men looking after themselves.
"Men are very overrepresented in health statistics, we are less likely to look after ourselves, probably because we tend to be greater risk takers," he said.
"At the same time men do care about their mates, 'I'm alright but I'm worried about old mate next door, he should do something about it'."
Mr Little said men think there has to be a reason to talk about their health
"What men need to do is to talk to people they care about and listen to them, family and friends are always great sources of home truths and advice.
"Take the words of encouragement, go see a GP, do little steps and star with the things they enjoy.
"The times I have seen a health service provider I have always come out better and stronger and healthier for the experience, I'm no picture of health, we don't need to be, but I am a lot healthier for listening to my family, friends and health care providers."
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