My mental health has hit rock bottom eight months into my retirement

DEAR DEIDRE: EIGHT months into my retirement, my mental health has hit rock bottom.

My wife and I are both in our 60s, with a lovely home and great kids.

I had looked forward to retiring, but I’m finding I have nothing to do apart from going to the shops or meeting ex-colleagues for the occasional coffee.

My wife encourages me to get a hobby but I feel guilty if I go out without her, and I have no male friends.

In the evening, we just watch TV and hardly speak.

I feel so low and beginning to think, “Is this it?”.

DEIDRE SAYS: It can be hard to adjust to retirement. We all need a sense of purpose or we quickly feel depressed and anxious.

Look into volunteer work opportunities near you. You could also visit your nearest Men’s Shed (menssheds.org.uk).

These are free, fun spaces all over the UK where men get together to complete useful projects for their local community.

They can help reduce loneliness and isolation.