Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
A group of Peace River and area people have spent their time focusing on helping people overcome mental health struggles, their most recent endeavour opening a Men’s Shed to help men in our region.
“The Men’s Shed has been in planning for some time,” says Grimshaw’s Casey Szmata.
“Since I discovered the impact and importance of the Men’s Shed in (Grande Prairie), I knew that our area needed this service. As I work for the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention (RCSP), I was able to gain insight into the Men’s Shed and what it means to men that attend,” she adds.
Szmata says she recognized the need for a Men’s Shed in Peace River and through her non-profit organization Always Find a Reason to Smile Suicide Awareness & Prevention, reached out to men who may be interested in pioneering the venture.
“Marc Boychuk and Madden Terriff stepped up right away, and we began to have planning meetings,” Szmata says.
“Kristi Heck and Coltin Heck of Peace Valley Creations quickly came on board, offering their venue as a space to house the Shed.”
Szmata says the local region has the highest suicide rates among men in all of Alberta and finding proactive solutions to help the men, to provide resources to them, and have a comfortable place for them to seek help is vital.
“This Shed provides a safe space for them to cope, talk if they want to, and just develop relationships,” she says.
“Through participation in various practical and social activities in an inclusive environment, Shed users reported increases in their health seeking behaviours, improved perspectives on and management of their personal health, and an increased ability to overcome illness and recover. This initiative is self-explanatory – our men lack services, and this will provide them with a way to make connections, feel a part of something, and enjoy their time together.”
The Men’s Shed will be located at Peace Valley Creations Unit G at 8002-102 Avenue in Peace River on West Hill. Parking at the facility is at the back of the building. The Grand Opening and annual general meeting will be held April 9 at 6 p.m., and Szmata says they hope all interested people in the public attend to obtain information and – hopefully – sit on the board.
She says the Shed itself will be strictly ‘Men only’, and positions for a board will be nominated on at the meeting.
“I first looked at the Men’s Shed through my role at the RCSP, but at this time, the RCSP is not in a position to backbone another Men’s Shed, as the GP Men’s Shed already resides under them,” Szmata explains.
“I knew the importance of bringing a Shed to our area, so through my volunteer work with Always Find a Reason to Smile, I continued my research and sought out a group of like-minded men who were interested in being a part. Finding Peace Valley Creations was just an absolute gift for us as Kristi and Coltin are amazing, community minded business owners, who know the value of community and giving back,” she adds.
Operating hours for the Men’s Shed are still not confirmed, but Szmata says at the moment the group is proposing Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. She adds additional hours or changes to the times will be decided by the board once established.
“The Men’s Shed is a wonderful way to become a part of something bigger than yourself and it is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of all men in our communities,” she says of becoming a board member.
“My hope is to see the Men’s Shed become one of the biggest and most cherished Sheds in Canada. In addition to all the things that men need to stay physically healthy (fitness, nutrition, access to medical care, etc.) no one talks very much about the mental and social well-being that form such a critical part of men’s overall health.”
Szmata says Men’s Sheds are committed to them as they provide social connection, a way to contribute, something to do.
“They call it ‘health by stealth’, that’s what happens when health benefits happen naturally without really trying,” Szmata explains.
“Research has been conducted around the world about the impact of Men’s Sheds on the health and wellbeing of participants. Research completed by the University of Alberta in 2023 found that involvement in a Men’s Shed provides camaraderie, a sense of inclusion, and a sense of purpose which helped generate a clear improvement in mental and physical health among participants.”
Szmata says the Men’s Sheds are a place where men can meet to socialize, work on rewarding projects, and engage in activities at their own pace, their own time, and in the company of other men.
“There is a saying amongst Shedders: If you’ve seen one Shed … you’ve only seen one Shed,” she notes.
“Each Shed is whatever the Shedders want them to be, based on the interests of the group. You can find some that focus on woodworking, bicycle repair and restoration, electronics, metalworking, while others focus on gardening, cooking, small engine repair, home repair. It is up to the members of the group.”
Szmata says she has lost many men in her life to suicide, friends and family that she loved deeply. She believes that a Men’s Shed could have made a difference in those lives and she hopes and believes that it will make a difference in many lives that are still here.
“Men need male companionship and support for life’s challenges, in the same way, that women need female companionship and support,” she says.
“Men’s Sheds allow socializing to be delivered in a way that will enable men to cope positively with their masculine social needs in these changing times. It is said that women meet face-to-face, but men stand shoulder-to-shoulder to communicate in comfort.
“Have you ever noticed that women gathered to talk, more often than not, around a table with their beverages of choice? At the same time, men tend to talk about life’s challenges standing or sitting on barstools, side-by- side, or shoulder-to- shoulder.”
Szmata urges any interested person in the community to attend the annual general meeting on April 9 and come to support a very important initiative.