Retirement, once seen as the long-awaited golden phase of life, often brings with it a sudden void—
... Especially for men whose identities have been intertwined with their professions for decades. This transition frequently leads to social isolation, depression, and increased suicide risk. Retirement after dedicating most of one’s life—around 70%—to work can become an identity crisis rather than a relief. Research indicates that lack of social support, compounded by the stigma around masculinity and seeking help, places retired men at higher risk of mental health decline and suicidal behaviors (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2022; Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2024).
Urgent Action is Essential
Policymakers, healthcare providers, families, and communities must recognize that mental health after retirement is not an individual failure but a collective responsibility. Interventions such as social prescribing, meaning-centered men’s groups, and technology-enabled engagement have demonstrated success in reducing loneliness and improving well being among older adults (Hoang et al., 2022; Heisel et al., 2017; Percival et al., 2022). Now is the time to transform these evidence-based solutions into national policy—possibly even enacting laws that mandate support systems for men who have spent the bulk of their lives serving society.
Insights from Research & National Recommendations
A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions targeting social isolation and loneliness in older adults found that group-based activities, support groups with educational elements, recreational engagement, and technological training were among the most effective strategies to improve psychosocial outcomes (Meta-review, PMC 10233446, 2024). Moreover, social prescribing—a model where healthcare providers refer patients to community-based non-medical services—shows promising results. A systematic review focusing on older adults in primary care highlighted modest improvements in social participation and well-being, though implementation challenges remain (Percival et al., 2022).
Specifically addressing retired men, Meaning-Centered Men’s Groups (MCMG)—
A 12-session community-based intervention—produced significant gains in life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and reduced suicide ideation among participants transitioning into retirement (Heisel et al., 2017). These findings align with broader public-health frameworks emphasizing mental-health prevention strategies: screening for social isolation, incentivizing community-based engagement, and integrating social connection into healthcare protocols, as recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2020), and echoed in clinical practice guidelines for suicide prevention (American Psychiatric Association, n.d.; Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2022).
Conclusions
1. Evidence-Based Solutions Work
The literature makes it clear: structured social engagement, whether through group recreational activities, educational support groups, or technology-based outreach, can yield measurable improvements in psychological and social well-being. Social prescribing, although still developing in rigorous evaluation, has shown early promise in enhancing older adults' sense of belonging and reducing the frequency of healthcare visits (Percival et al., 2022). These interventions, when properly implemented and sustained, act as effective buffers against loneliness and its attendant risks.
2. A Policy Gap Worth Filling
Despite the epidemiological urgency—especially for men whose identities are so heavily bound to work—few jurisdictions have formal policies to support retired men’s mental health. Policymakers should consider legislating social and mental health support for men who have worked at least 70% of their adult lives. This could include mandated funding for community centers, subsidized participation in peer support groups, and formal integration of social-prescribing protocols within primary care. Investing in these strategies is not only compassionate—it’s cost-effective, potentially reducing expensive emergency visits and mental-health crises.
Author’s Recommendation
As someone deeply immersed in aging population research since 2018 and committed to lifelong health and wellness advocacy, I cannot ignore the urgency before us. I call for three immediate steps: First, pilot municipal or regional programs that integrate primary care clinics with Meaning-Centered Men’s Groups and tech-assisted buddy systems ensuring support reaches those most at risk. Second, initiate a legislative review with mental health agencies to draft a policy—or better yet, a law—that grants retired men waived or subsidized access to community, skill-building, and wellness programs. Third, mobilize families and community leaders to treat loneliness as the serious health risk it is, and to proactively invite retired men into shared activities—whether a walking group, skill-sharing club, or intergenerational project. The evidence is undeniable. What remains is the courage to act. We can prevent crisis if we break the silence now—and in doing so, we not only save lives, but enrich the fabric of our communities for generations to come.
Authors Note & Research Statement:
© 2025 by Mariza L. Lendez. All rights reserved. www.chikicha.com
This article "Breaking the Silence: Solutions to Protect Retired Men’s Mental Health" is form part of my dissertation. All materials herein are protected by copyright and academic intellectual property laws. No part of this work may be reproduced, published, or distributed in whole or in part without express written permission from the author, except for academic citation or fair use with proper attribution. Based on verified data, peer-reviewed literature, and insights from national and global agencies and with the help of AI for deep research.
Citation Format
Lendez, Mariza (2025). [Breaking the Silence: Solutions to Protect Retired Men’s Mental Health] In "Designing a Purpose-Driven Retirement Model Based on the IKIGAI Philosophy" (unpublished dissertation). Philippine Women's University. [URL] https://chikicha.com/trending-stories/part-2-of-2--breaking-the-silence--solutions-to-protect-retired-men-s-mental-health
References
1. American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). Suicide prevention. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/suicide-prevention American Psychiatric Association
2. Frontiers in Psychiatry. (2024). A narrative review: Suicide and suicidal behaviour in older adults. Frontiers in Psychiatry. Frontiers
3.Heisel, M., et al. (2017). Meaning-Centered Men’s Groups: Initial findings of an intervention to enhance resiliency and reduce suicide risk in men facing retirement. [Journal Name]. ResearchGate
4. Hoang, P., King, J. A., Moore, S., et al. (2022). Interventions associated with reduced loneliness and social isolation in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open, 5(10), e2236676. Psychiatric TimesJAMA Network
5. Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2022). Mental health and suicide prevention in men: Evidence brief. Mental Health Commission of Canada
6. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. The National Academies Press. Psychiatric Times
7. Percival, A., Newton, C., Mulligan, K., et al. (2022). Systematic review of social prescribing and older adults: Where to from here? Family Medicine and Community Health, 10, e001829. https://doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2022-001829ResearchGate
Thank you to #Airtank, #Sammy_Sander, and Surprising_Media @ Pixabay for these photos.