Local groups get behind Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week

The national not-for-profit organisation Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is celebrating its 10th birthday by calling local groups to host health and wellbeing-themed events for Women’s Health Week this September 5 to 11.

Local book clubs, workplaces, fitness studios, organisations or medical centres and many local groups are invited to get on board, and many are.

One local group that is partnering with Jean Hailes with support from the City of Greater Geelong is Cultura, formally Diversitat, that will host a women’s wellbeing event during Women’s Health Week.

Shiva Shamsi from Cultura said the event will focus on helping women navigate looking after their mental wellbeing and accessing local community resources to do so.

“We have a few activities for women that day and hopefully we will host around 150 women, the majority from cultural and linguistic diverse communities,” Ms Shamsi said.

“There will be a short training about women’s mental health, using materials provided by Jean Hailes for Women’s Health.

“After that there will be stress reducing activities… and then hopefully a group dance and then we will have lunch.

“Hopefully women will come out of this event feeling good, and how to look after themselves mentally and to have a fun day and gain information.”

Cultura will also invite many health professionals and representatives from local organisations such as Headspace, Head to Health, Orange Door, and more, giving women the opportunity to access and learn about resources available locally.

The event will also be accessible to over six languages, with resources is Arabic, Swahili, Dari and more.

Janet Michelmore AO, CEO of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, said they hoped these local events would help women realise they were not alone and could access community support.

“Women’s Health Week provides the perfect platform to connect women to others as well as to their local health services. This Women’s Health Week we want women to know they are not alone, and getting together to support each other is a great step to good health,” Ms Michelmore said.

“It’s so easy to do and our event guide, featuring handy information and event ideas, will support you all the way. Events can be educational, celebratory or just an opportunity to connect with women in your circle, community or workplace,” explains Ms Michelmore.

“Whether you are a small book group that catches up monthly, a local fitness studio, or a medical centre that will place a focus on women’s health, we encourage you to get involved and support the women in your community.”

Jean Hailes for Women’s Health was founded 30 years ago in honour of pioneering medical practitioner, Dr Jean Hailes, who established the nation’s first and world’s second, women’s health clinic dedicated to menopause.

The two Victoria Jean Hailes Women’s Health clinics now provide free health information for women, girls and gender-diverse people, including fact sheets, booklets, health tips, videos, animations, articles and podcasts as well as resources for health professionals to support their clinical practice.

Jean Hailes Women’s Health makes a point of all resources and educational kits being available in numerous languages including Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Dari, Farsi and Hindi, as well as simple accessible English.

Renea Camilleri, Women’s Health Week and Community Engagement Manager of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, said this year Jean Hailes was encouraging all women to take care of themselves.

“We know that juggling careers and home, COVID restrictions, which meant remote working and learning, has placed increased stress on women who are already time poor. It means we often forgo or delay important tasks such as health checks and tests,” says Ms Camilleri.

“We see the Women’s Health Week as an opportunity and reminder to put ourselves first, look after our mental, physical and emotional health and prioritise these areas of our lives. It will also help us to be our best selves with others.”

To learn more about Women’s Health Week events or download your free event guide with tips for hosting your own event, visit womenhealthweek.com.au.