Emotional Strength Building Program for Women Suffering Depression and Anxiety
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Top level
Community Health
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Over the past few years Loddon Mallee Women’s Health, St. Luke’s and now Mallee Health Service have organised a series of programs for women suffering diagnosed depression and anxiety disorders.
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The program Emotional Strength Building is conducted over ten weeks and includes activities such as learning about relaxation techniques, journal writing, communication and grief and loss. The women also learn about anxiety and panic attacks and strategies for coping better when attacks occur. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal with time for the women to become well acquainted and to ask questions and discuss things that interest them.
The key objectives of Emotional Strength Building are: to complement the medical support the women receive, to provide opportunities to strengthen their skills in managing their illness, to enhance their social skills and to increase their network of friends and support.
The women who have participated have benefited from meeting the others to share their experiences and learn from the professionals who provide the education and information. Most participants have maintained contact with other group members. EmotionalStrength Building is evaluated through the feedback provided and demonstrates that women find the opportunities useful and are positive steps that they have taken.
Women’s responses provided such positive feedback as:
“It is good to know that someone cared”
“It has been beneficial for me to know that I am not alone”
“I have made some really good friends”
“I feel at home with the group, I have learned so much about life and I now know I can trust myself to move forward - I have hope for the future”
An Emotional Strength Building program will be starting in the first week of May 2006 in Karoonda. The program involves weekly sessions that run for 3 hours. If there are difficulties with transport or childcare this can be organized. The program is at no cost to the participant.
It is important the women living in isolated areas of the Mallee who suffer from depression and anxiety are given an opportunity to participate in a program such as the Emotional Strength Building.
We look forward to your support in this matter and would be only too happy to further discuss in detail any concerns you may have. Please call Lee-Anne on 08 85791111 or Judy on 0427007853 for more information.
Lee-Anne LeGallou Community Health Nurse
Judy Schroeder Arts and Health Community Development Worker
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