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Calgary Herald

Keenan: Canadian men are sad; Can clubs cheer them up?

A 2025 study by the Canadian Men's Health Foundation revealed that stress and depression levels among Canadian men have increased. Of the 2,000 men sampled, 64 per cent reported moderate-to-high stress levels, and 23 per cent were at risk of severe depression. The study found that one in two Canadian men 'are at risk of social isolation.' This figure went up to 73 per cent for men who live alone, 67 per cent for men aged 19-29, and 59 per cent for racialized men. Article content Article content One natural solution to the isolation problem is to participate in pleasurable activities with friends. I've written about the Men's Shed Movement before, which originated in Australia and is now thriving in many countries, including Canada. It provides a place for men, primarily older ones, to hang out with peers, chat and do projects like woodworking. Article content Article content Article content In a sense, the Rotary Club was the original men's shed, founded over a century ago. On Feb. 23, 1905, Paul P. Harris, a Chicago lawyer, invited three buddies over to exchange ideas and form meaningful friendships. Article content Fast forward to 2025, and Rotary International has over 46,000 clubs around the world, with a total of 1.4 million members globally. It's no longer a boys' club. The Rotary Club of Calgary, of which I am a proud member, has recently had two consecutive female presidents. Article content They join an amazing lineage, which includes James W. Davidson, who served as the club's president from 1919 to 1920. Often called 'the Marco Polo of Rotary,' he travelled the world, establishing 32 Rotary clubs in 15 countries, including Greece, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore, and even the city of Jerusalem, which today brings together Jewish and Arab youth to help build peace. Article content Each year, the keenest Rotarians travel to an annual convention. This year, it's in Calgary. More than 15,000 will descend on the BMO Centre and Scotiabank Saddledome from June 21 to 25. While most events are for members, there are some open to the public, such as the House of Friendship exhibition hall. Full details are on the website Article content Soon after its founding, Rotary evolved from a social organization to a service club. The organization's motto is 'Service Above Self.' A good example of how doing good for others can improve one's mental health comes from Australian Rotary Health (ARH). This Rotary-linked charity has become one of the largest independent funders of mental health research in Australia. Rotarians there proudly note that 'since 1986, over $55 million has been invested in the health of all Australians.' In 2023, they narrowed their funding focus to 'the mental health of children aged 0-12.'