Women’s Mental Health Service
Policy
Advocacy
Consumer participation
Professional education of staff
Capacity-building
Community Education
Women’s Group programs
Why women’s mental health?
Women’s mental health can only be understood by taking into careful
consideration the biological, social, cultural, economic and
interpersonal context of their lives. An understanding of these factors
and of gender-sensitive treatment options and approaches is
essential. Some key issues to consider include:
 38% of Australian women experience interpersonal violence in
their lifetime, with 49 –90% of these women experience mental
health or alcohol/drug difficulties. History of abuse increases
vulnerability to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress
disorder, borderline personality disorder behaviors. It also links
to homelessness and poverty, which further impacts mental
health
 Biological life-cycle transitions in women’s reproductive health link to conditions such as
premenstrual syndrome, perinatal depressions and perimenopausal depression
 Women with childhood maltreatment have many physical and emotional symptoms
 Cultural expectation of females and body image pressures, link with eating and associated
mood disorders
 Trauma background means women are more vulnerable to safety and re-traumatisation
issues in the often unpredictable psychiatric inpatient environment
 Female biology means that women respond differently to psychotropic and other drugs
 Traditional/stereotyped role expectations of women can mean they are in the role of carer,
have lower incomes and less stable work and financial insecurity or dependency. These
increase vulnerability to stress and affect ability to access and afford health services
 Women with mental illness are more likely to be exploited and women with mental illness and
disability are more vulnerable.
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The Women’s Mental Health Service involves
Policy
Contributing to policy and process in regard to gender sensitive practice and encouraging the use of
a ‘gender lens’ in the review and formation of policy and protocol.
Advocacy
Advocating for the needs of women utilising mental health services in Bendigo Health and catchment
area. Monitoring and addressing emerging issues.
Representing Bendigo Health on Women’s Mental Health Network Victoria and participating in their
state-wide advocacy activities to address change in systemic issues relating to women and mental
health.
Consumer participation
Creating opportunities for female consumers, carers and workers to meet together for connection,
support, peer education and advocacy.
Professional education
Assisting staff to extend their knowledge and skills in regard to gender sensitive practice, enhance
the safety and wellbeing of female inpatients, maintain a trauma-informed care approach, address
environment etc.
Capacity building
Capacity-building of workers in the community to run group programs for their clients. Packaging
current group programs into facilitator training programs.
Community education
Providing information, education and consultation to the community on issues of women and mental
health.
Group programs
Designing and facilitating educative and therapeutic group programs and workshops aimed at
enhancing the emotional and mental wellbeing of women in the community.
How can you contribute

Refer female clients into WMH (Women’s Mental Health) group programs

Forward information you receive from the WMHW to others

Consult with the WMHW in regard to any gender sensitive practice concerns or ideas

Assist in encouraging clients/carers to participate in consumer/carer forums, peer activities,
research etc

Attend and encourage attendance of other staff at gender sensitive practice professional
development and consumer/carer/worker forums

Provide the WMHW with input regarding current gender sensitive practice needs, gaps, ideas
for new group programs/workshops etc that you identify in your work.
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Contact
Practitioner / Patient notes
Bridget Nutting/Manorama Shah
Women's Mental Health Service
c/o Carer Support Services
PO Box 126 Bendigo 3552
E. manorama.shah@bendigohealth.org.au
(Monday and Friday)
E. bnutting@bendigohealth.org.au
(Monday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Ph: 5454 7724/ 54546239
CAMHS | Reviewed Date (01/03/2014)
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The information in this brochure is for educational purposes only and is not intended
as a substitute for consultation with a doctor or health care professional.
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