Be kind to your mind - health and wellbeing workshop for women and girls in Rockhampton
Women's Health and Equality Queensland
Key Facts:- Women's Health and Equality Queensland (WHEQ) is hosting a free health information and wellbeing workshop for women and girls in Rockhampton on Thursday 28 May, from 5.30–6.30pm at St Paul's Cathedral Hall, 89 William Street.
- The session will offer practical advice and support on improving mental health and wellbeing, with dinner provided and a child-friendly environment; registration is available at www.wheq.org.au/events.
- Women in regional Queensland face significant mental health challenges, with nearly half reporting depression or generalised anxiety, and 49% of women in Central Queensland reporting mental health difficulties.
- Despite the high prevalence of mental health issues, only 48% of women seek help, with key barriers including feeling they can manage alone, financial concerns, and not considering their issues serious enough — challenges often worsened by stigma in regional areas.
- WHEQ, a not-for-profit organisation operating for over 40 years, aims to use the event to both support local women and gather community insight to improve and tailor its health promotion services in Rockhampton.
Women and girls in Rockhampton are invited to a free information session to provide support and practical advice on how to care for their mental health and overall wellbeing.
Women’s Health and Equality Queensland (WHEQ) is hosting a health information and wellbeing workshop next Thursday 28 May from 5.30-6.30pm at St Paul’s Cathedral Hall.
The session will assist women and girls in Rockhampton to reconnect, and explore simple, meaningful ways to support their health and wellbeing.
Natalie Stokell, WHEQ Health Promotion Officer, said women and girls in regional and remote communities in Queensland are impacted by universal structural inequalities that are compounded by reduced access to support services.
“The work our team is doing recognises the many ways that inequality impacts the wellbeing of women and girls, particularly in regional and remove communities where services are often limited.”
Ms Stokell said the upcoming wellbeing event in Rockhampton will provide practical support and advice on steps women and girls can take to improve their wellbeing and social connections.
“We recognise the strength and knowledge that already exists within local communities and alongside offering support and advice to women and girls in Rockhampton we want to hear from them,” she said.
“This local event will help inform how we improve and tailor our health promotion tools and services in the Rockhampton community setting. We invite women and girls to join us in a supportive space, to share a meal and gain some practical strategies that will make a real difference in their lives.”
Relevant statistics (Source: Women's mental health in regional Queensland | selectability)
- Nearly half of women in regional Queensland report experiencing depression or generalised anxiety
- Rate of anxiety related issues is particularly pronounced in central qld with 49% of women reporting mental health challenges
- family and domestic violence is the leading factor contributing to the disease burden for women aged 14-44
Despite the prevalence of mental health issues, only 48% of women are seeking help. The main barriers include:
- Feeling they can manage on their own (39%)
- Financial burden (33%)
- Not considering their issues serious enough (31%)
- In regional Queensland, these barriers are often compounded by the stigma associated with mental health issues.
Event Details
Join us for a practical and interactive FREE community session focused on looking after yourself in everyday life.
If you’ve been feeling stretched, busy, or overwhelmed, this is an opportunity to pause, reconnect, and explore simple, meaningful ways to support your wellbeing.
Dinner will be provided, and the event is child friendly.
Thursday 28th May 5:30 – 6:30pm
Location: St Paul’s Cathedral Hall, 89 William Street Rockhampton.
Visit www.wheq.org.au/events to register.
About us:
Women’s Health and Equality Queensland (WHEQ) is a state-wide not-for-profit organisation committed to advancing women’s health, gender equality, and the prevention of violence. For more than 40 years, we have worked alongside communities to ensure women, girls, and gender-diverse people across Queensland are resourced, supported, and safe.
Contact details:
Cathy Beadnell - 0488528472