Women’s Mental Wellbeing in Rural Communities: Challenges and Solutions
Tracks
Kuranda and Virtual via OnAIR
| Thursday, November 7, 2024 |
| 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM |
| Kuranda Ballroom |
Overview
Emma Iwinska and Bianca Blackmore, Women's Health And Equality Queensland
Presenter
Emma Iwinska
Chief Executive Officer
Women's Health And Equality Queensland
Women’s Mental Wellbeing in Rural Communities: Challenges and Solutions
Abstract
Women in rural communities face unique challenges and barriers to accessing support for their mental wellbeing. Central to this is the limited availability of holistic health services in rural areas, travel to access services, and the lack of telehealth mental wellbeing support services. Additional challenges that particularly impact women’s access to support services include the disproportionate care responsibilities, financial limitations, and health literacy – the time, affordability and knowledge of how to seek healthcare.
Women in Australia experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and gender-based violence than men, and rates of mental ill health are even higher in rural communities than metropolitan areas. It is imperative that appropriate access to mental wellbeing support and services is available, no matter where you live. Crucial to this is a gendered lens to healthcare approaches, so that they meet the needs of women.
Join Women’s Health and Equality Queensland (WHEQ) as they speak about solutions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of women in rural communities. This presentation will explore the elements and importance of a gendered lens to healthcare approaches, how individuals and communities can contribute towards these solutions, and what WHEQ are doing to drive this change.
Three Key Learnings
1. The elements and importance of a gendered lens to healthcare approaches
2. How individuals and communities can contribute towards these solutions
3. What WHEQ are doing to drive this change
Women in Australia experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and gender-based violence than men, and rates of mental ill health are even higher in rural communities than metropolitan areas. It is imperative that appropriate access to mental wellbeing support and services is available, no matter where you live. Crucial to this is a gendered lens to healthcare approaches, so that they meet the needs of women.
Join Women’s Health and Equality Queensland (WHEQ) as they speak about solutions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of women in rural communities. This presentation will explore the elements and importance of a gendered lens to healthcare approaches, how individuals and communities can contribute towards these solutions, and what WHEQ are doing to drive this change.
Three Key Learnings
1. The elements and importance of a gendered lens to healthcare approaches
2. How individuals and communities can contribute towards these solutions
3. What WHEQ are doing to drive this change
Biography
Emma is the CEO of Women’s Health and Equality Queensland, an organisation advancing women’s health and gender equity in Queensland. Emma is also a member of the Australian Women’s Health Alliance Board, which works to improve women’s health policy. Emma holds formal qualifications in health, leadership and higher education and embraces a philosophy of lifelong learning.
Emma’s work focusses on improving health outcomes and increasing health equity for women and marginalised groups, alongside creating the structural and social change needed to stop gendered violence occurring. Emma strives to create a world where women are equitably resourced, healthy, safe and thriving.
Ms Bianca Blackmore
Executive Administration and Project Officer
Women's Health and Equality Queensland
Women’s Mental Wellbeing in Rural Communities: Challenges and Solutions
Abstract
Women in rural communities face unique challenges and barriers to accessing support for their mental wellbeing. Central to this is the limited availability of holistic health services in rural areas, travel to access services, and the lack of telehealth mental wellbeing support services. Additional challenges that particularly impact women’s access to support services include the disproportionate care responsibilities, financial limitations, and health literacy – the time, affordability and knowledge of how to seek healthcare.
Women in Australia experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and gender-based violence than men, and rates of mental ill health are even higher in rural communities than metropolitan areas. It is imperative that appropriate access to mental wellbeing support and services is available, no matter where you live. Crucial to this is a gendered lens to healthcare approaches, so that they meet the needs of women.
Join Women’s Health and Equality Queensland (WHEQ) as they speak about solutions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of women in rural communities. This presentation will explore the elements and importance of a gendered lens to healthcare approaches, how individuals and communities can contribute towards these solutions, and what WHEQ are doing to drive this change.
Three Key Learnings:
1. The elements and importance of a gendered lens to healthcare approaches.
2. How individuals and communities can contribute towards these solutions.
3. What WHEQ are doing to drive this change.
Women in Australia experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and gender-based violence than men, and rates of mental ill health are even higher in rural communities than metropolitan areas. It is imperative that appropriate access to mental wellbeing support and services is available, no matter where you live. Crucial to this is a gendered lens to healthcare approaches, so that they meet the needs of women.
Join Women’s Health and Equality Queensland (WHEQ) as they speak about solutions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of women in rural communities. This presentation will explore the elements and importance of a gendered lens to healthcare approaches, how individuals and communities can contribute towards these solutions, and what WHEQ are doing to drive this change.
Three Key Learnings:
1. The elements and importance of a gendered lens to healthcare approaches.
2. How individuals and communities can contribute towards these solutions.
3. What WHEQ are doing to drive this change.
Biography
Bianca is an avid supporter of women’s health and equity and is passionate about creating impactful change improving the health and wellbeing of all women. Bianca holds a Bachelor of Public Health (Honours) from The University of Queensland. At Women’s Health and Equality Queensland, Bianca utilises her expertise in public health and health promotion to contribute to advocacy, programs, initiatives, and education that improves outcomes for women and girls.
Host
Lise Saunders
Event Coordinator
AST Management
Justine White
Event Manager
AST Management
