Some gather around food or woodworking projects, but they all offer the promise of friendship.
When Mark Miller retired from being an elementary school teacher, he struggled with a loss of identity and sense of purpose. That’s when he turned to the other members of the Sacopee Valley Men’s Group, which formed two years ago as a place for older men in western Maine to connect.
“It was very helpful to have them there to listen and reflect back and share their experiences,” Miller said.
Miller’s group is one of three across the state that spoke to The Maine Monitor about their approach to bringing together men who are 65 and older, a population that experiences high rates of loneliness, isolation and suicide.
