HEALTH and education provider QENDO is holding a morning tea support group for anyone with endometriosis, adenomyosis or PCOS this Saturday at The Boardwalk.<\/p>\n
The not-for-profit group has been providing support and resources for over 30 years.<\/p>\n
Vice-president Isabella Gosling said QENDO started the service in Queensland, before expanding nationally and even internationally through their website.<\/p>\n
QENDOMeet was launched as a way of providing face-to-face, personal support in Australian cities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a support group that gives people the chance to catch up and connect, so if they have endometriosis, adenomyosis or PCOS themselves or they\u2019re going through a fertility journey, they\u2019re welcome to attend,\u201d Ms Gosling said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, partners, friends, family, colleagues are also welcome; it\u2019s just a support group or catchup in a casual setting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Gosling said QENDOMeets are limited to 10 people in order for facilitators to provide personal and tailored sessions for the individuals.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really important to have that face-to-face support because we know that people with a chronic health condition have a higher rate of mental health issues and can often feel isolated and alone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving that face-to-face support provides for that community, they know there\u2019s people close by to them who know what they\u2019re going through and they can lean on when they need.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe found 10 to be a really good number where you can still have a chat to other people, but our support worker can have a really good, personalised chat with you as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Australia-wide, one in 10 people assigned as female at birth are affected by endometriosis.<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s Federal budget announcement included $353.9 million over the next four years to support women\u2019s health, including funding for cervical and breast cancer, endometriosis and reproductive health.<\/p>\n
Ms Gosling said it was a \u201ca really important step toward creating a gold standard of care for people affected by endometriosis.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that the word endometriosis was even mentioned in the budget and not just included under the umbrella of women\u2019s health is an excellent step forward,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means all the lobbying we\u2019ve done over the past 30 years is paying off and we can really see the awareness, which has just been excellent.\u201d<\/p>\n