Perimenopause and Menopause Health and Mental Health Presentation, Awareness and Intervention in Rural CALD/Migrant Communities
Tracks
Harbour View 1 - In-Person Only
| Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
| 1:35 PM - 1:55 PM |
Overview
Pearl Proud, Edith Cowan University
Presenter
Ms Pearl Proud
Council Member & Committee Chair
Edith Cowan University
Perimenopause and Menopause Health and Mental Health Presentation, Awareness and Intervention in Rural CALD/Migrant Communities
Presentation Overview
- Australia has an ageing population, 50.7% of whom are women; women have a median age of 39
- Perimenopause typically begins when women are in their mid 40s, but can begin as early as mid 30s
- Australia's rural and regional areas have growing CALD/migrant populations. This population has particular and at times unique sets of presentations and challenges, including in relation to Perimenopause and Menopause
- Awareness of Perimenopause and Menopause among diverse communities is low. This includes the presentation, symptoms and management of the conditions as well as the mitigation of stigma and self-limiting perceptions and beliefs
- Clinical expertise and treatment calibrated for diverse women is limited to non-existent, with many barriers to access to services and resources
- CALD led, evidence-based, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive intervention and treatment is a lacking yet an important element to available treatment options
- Innovative, inclusive and accessible modalities and pathways are a key element in meeting the Perimenopause and Menopause health and mental health needs of women in rural and regional areas
- Supports at individual, couple, family, and community level
- Exploration of modality options including Clinician led specialised visiting clinics, Telehealth, focused community-based workshops, Expert led and evidence-based support groups, peer support groups/networks, online groups and clinical resources
- Appropriate resourcing and cultivation of referral pathways
- Research, data and accumulation of evidence on Perimenopause and Menopause presentation, symptomology and management specific to CALD/migrant women and their families that can support prevention and intervention, such as links between Perimenopause/Menopause and Domestic Violence
- A presentation delivered by a CALD Clinician who is a woman with extensive clinical experience, who has a lived experience of Perimenopause will provide a unique opportunity to Conference attendees, including non-CALD/migrant fellow Clinicians, to gain insights and ask questions.
- Perimenopause typically begins when women are in their mid 40s, but can begin as early as mid 30s
- Australia's rural and regional areas have growing CALD/migrant populations. This population has particular and at times unique sets of presentations and challenges, including in relation to Perimenopause and Menopause
- Awareness of Perimenopause and Menopause among diverse communities is low. This includes the presentation, symptoms and management of the conditions as well as the mitigation of stigma and self-limiting perceptions and beliefs
- Clinical expertise and treatment calibrated for diverse women is limited to non-existent, with many barriers to access to services and resources
- CALD led, evidence-based, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive intervention and treatment is a lacking yet an important element to available treatment options
- Innovative, inclusive and accessible modalities and pathways are a key element in meeting the Perimenopause and Menopause health and mental health needs of women in rural and regional areas
- Supports at individual, couple, family, and community level
- Exploration of modality options including Clinician led specialised visiting clinics, Telehealth, focused community-based workshops, Expert led and evidence-based support groups, peer support groups/networks, online groups and clinical resources
- Appropriate resourcing and cultivation of referral pathways
- Research, data and accumulation of evidence on Perimenopause and Menopause presentation, symptomology and management specific to CALD/migrant women and their families that can support prevention and intervention, such as links between Perimenopause/Menopause and Domestic Violence
- A presentation delivered by a CALD Clinician who is a woman with extensive clinical experience, who has a lived experience of Perimenopause will provide a unique opportunity to Conference attendees, including non-CALD/migrant fellow Clinicians, to gain insights and ask questions.
Biography
Pearl Proud is a Psychologist, Executive Consultant and Governance expert who has worked in health and mental health services for over thirty years with a focus on mental health service delivery, clinical governance, and enhancing service access for CALD and migrant communities. Pearl has delivered mental health workshops to diverse communities for two decades and currently focuses on holistic, evidence-based and culturally appropriate Perimenopause and Menopause psychoeducation, resourcing, and interventions to reduce stigma, raise awareness, prevent mental health distress and manage symptoms as well as cultivate options and pathways to treatments to optimise health and mental health outcomes.
