The CWA annual Awareness Week campaign for 2019 has shone the spotlight on mental health awareness and support services in rural regions, particular as they relate to women.
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The annual Awareness Week campaign is about dedicating all the organisation's resources in one week to a cause that is close to the hearts of its members, to advocate for change and/or understanding of a key issue or issues.
This year's Awareness Week campaign resonates with CWA members, because it is central to the organisation's core purpose: improving the lives of women across regional and rural NSW.
Combining its role as a passionate advocate for country NSW with its traditional 'tea and scones' reputation, the CWA of NSW is promoting the importance of the Sconversation, an informal catchup with friends on a regular basis.
The organisation wants women - and men - to Start a Sconversation as a way of encouraging people to air their feelings and boost their mental wellbeing. This is also seen as an important first step in tapping into specialist support services should they be needed.
Nowra CWA recently invited Alison Tye along as guest speaker on this important topic.
Alison is a RAMHP Coordinator (Rural Adversity Mental Health Program) based in Nowra at 54 Junction St, Nowra.
It is a free service offering information on what is available in the community, helping to reduce stigma and offers free training to interested persons.
Members and visitors enjoyed a morning tea sampling various types of scones.
About the CWA
The CWA was formed out of desperate need.
Country women were fighting isolation and an appalling lack of health facilities and the constraints of a male-dominated society. These women realised they had nowhere else to turn but themselves - and the result was staggering.
Within a year the Association was a unified, resourceful group that was going from strength to strength.
CWA members come from all walks of life. They live in the city and the country. They were born in Australia or have chosen Australia to be their home.
They share a commitment to improving the lives of women and their families by lobbying government on key agenda issues, fundraising and teaching life skills.
As part of the largest women's organisation in Australia, the aims of the nonprofit association are to:
- Bring women and families together to form a network of friendship and support;
- Provide a forum for the voice of women in NSW; Improve the conditions and welfare of all women and families, especially in regional and rural areas;
- Support initiatives that enhance the value of 'country living' - especially in the areas of health and education;
- Encourage development in regional areas and increase the viability of rural communities;
- Consult different levels of Government on a variety of issues affecting agriculture and the environment, education, health, transport and telecommunications.
More than 8,000 members belong to one of 400 CWA local branches around NSW. The annual Awareness Week campaign is about dedicating all the organisation's resources in that one week to a cause that is close to the hearts of its members, to advocate for change and/or understanding of a key issue or issues.
This year's Awareness Week campaign resonates with CWA members, because it is central to the organisation's core purpose: improving the lives of women across regional and rural NSW.
This year, the CWA of NSW will shine the spotlight on mental health awareness and support services in regional, rural and remote communities, particularly as they relate to women, and how all of us can help make a difference.
Combining its role as a passionate advocate for country NSW with its traditional 'tea and scones' reputation, the CWA of NSW is promoting the importance of the Sconversation, an informal catchup with friends on a regular basis.
The organisation wants women - and men - to Start a Sconversation as a way of encouraging people to air their feelings and boost their mental wellbeing. This is also seen as an important first step in tapping into specialist support services should they be needed.