THE Wagga Women's Health Centre has received a boost to addressing rural mental health issues thanks to the first-ever 'sconversation' event.
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The initiative by the Country Women's Association Uranquinty Evening Branch in collaboration with Charles Sturt University was held in September as part of CWA Awareness Week.
About 60 people attended to talk about mental health issues and services in rural areas while having scones and tea.
The centre's health promotions officer Claire Kendall said they were grateful that CWA Uranquinty decided to donate the $250 raised to the centre last week.
"Opportunities and initiatives such as sconversations are a great way to raise awareness about mental health issues," Ms Kendall said.
"Any sort of awareness raising is a great way of breaking down the stigma that persists around mental health issues.
Any sort of awareness raising is a great way of breaking down the stigma that persists around mental health issues.
- Claire Kendall, Health Promotions Officer at Wagga Women's Health Centre
"We know that that stigma is often a barrier to accessing support."
Rachel Whiting, CWA member and CEO of Regional Development Australia Riverina, said they chose to donate the funds to the health centre "because they're absolutely concerned about women's mental health".
"It was just a great collaborative event," Ms Whiting said.
"Sconversations don't have to be a major thing, they can be just someone having a conversation with a friend or neighbour to ask how they're going."
She said the groups hope to make it an annual event.
"All the partners will be really keen to do it again next year," she said.
Fellow CWA member Jo Palmer, who is the 2019 National Agrifutures Rural Women's Award Winner, said mental health issues needed to be addressed.
"Doing things that raise money and awareness to combat these issues can only be a positive," she said.