WOMEN in eight regions across New South Wales, including Wee Waa, Walcha and Manilla, will have access to practical wellbeing and self-care training with the launch of free women’s wellbeing workshops ahead of NSW Women’s Week.

The NSW Government is supporting regional and rural women’s mental health with this partnership with Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP), especially in areas where access to such care can be harder.

The one-day workshops will be at Wee Waa (1 March), Manilla (17 March), Finley (31 March), Mudgee (14 April), Yamba (28 April), Narromine (12 May), Walcha (19 May) and Urana (4 June).

The workshops will discuss stress and how it can impact rural women; how women may manage and respond to stress; values and how they impact wellbeing; self-care, assessing the effectiveness of strategies; and learning how to develop an action plan.

Funding of $10,000 for this program is through the Rural Women’s Network, which works to support and empower regional, rural and remote women.

RAMHP is a program that provides mental health education, with a focus on regional, rural and remote communities.

Co-ordinators are regional, rural and remote people and understand the specific strengths, challenges and characteristics of rural life.

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said mental health is an important and ongoing conversation across regional New South Wales where the stress of drought and other natural disasters can take a toll.

“Mental Health and wellbeing support services are a vital lifeline and these workshops, specifically tailored for women, can really make a difference,” Ms Moriarty said.

“They offer rural women the chance to pause, share experiences with others and focus on their own health and wellbeing. Something regional women rarely get the chance to do.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said regional and rural women play many different roles in their communities – business-owners, farmers, carers and volunteers.

“Like many women, they are often selfless and put others ahead of themselves,” Ms Harrison said.

“But sometimes, the stresses can be overwhelming. These one-day workshops are a great way for women to stop and learn how to prioritise self-care so they and their families can thrive.

“This is part of our wider work to support women’s health and wellbeing, empower them, and boost their participation in the community.

“I encourage regional women in these eight towns to register quickly for these workshops, as places will fill up fast.”

RAMHP service manager Kate Arndell, said her organisation is thrilled to be working with Rural Women’s Network NSW to create welcoming workshops where women feel heard, supported and reminded that their wellbeing truly matters.

“These workshops are a chance for women to step away from the busy-ness of daily life, spend time with other women who understand rural pressures, and focus on their own wellbeing in a relaxed and supportive space,” Ms Arndell said.

Register for the Women’s Wellbeing Workshops at  Women’s Wellbeing Workshops Rural NSW.

The workshops complement the popular two-day Rural Women’s Skills Roadshow, run in partnership with St John’s Ambulance, that continue to make their way around the state.

Registrations are still open for these workshops at Rural Women’s Skills Roadshow.