Health & Wellbeing Archives - Page 4 of 27

More Farmers Seeking Mental Health Support

October 12, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Australian farmers are seeking mental health support at almost twice the rate they were seeking assistance last year, according to trusted rural charity, Rural Aid.

In the past two months, Rural Aid counsellors have conducted 277 counselling sessions, a 95 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

Rural Aid’s counselling helpline is currently fielding an average of 13 calls each day from primary producers.

Rural Aid’s Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Myf Pitcher, said the range of topics that farmers are worried about has also recently widened.

“Our farmers have moved from states of stress to states of desperation,” Myf said.

Sheep and cattle farmer Ron Dooley said the Rural Aid counselling service helped him get through a difficult time after the Black Summer bushfires.

“I had a bit of a mishap when I was fighting the front of the fire. I couldn’t see where I was going and I ran into a dam wall and stalled the tractor with the flames coming through the bottom of the tractor,” Ron said.

“After talking with Darren from Rural Aid, he [helped me to make] some decisions on what to do when feeling like that, and it did help,” Ron said.

Rural Aid counsellors catch up with their farmers where they’re most comfortable; whether it’s on farm, in town, or over the phone.

Contact Rural Aid’s counselling intake line on 1300 175 594.

Mental Health Workforce Strategy

October 12, 2023 By Roxane Manley

As we shine a light on mental health issues during this Mental Health Week, the National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) welcomes the launch of the National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 by the Australian Government.

The Alliance is pleased to see that the issues of mental health workforce shortages in rural and remote locations and options to address the specific needs of communities to attract, retain, maximise, support and train a rural workforce are given due consideration in this Strategy.

“We know mental illness in rural and remote Australia is more prevalent than in major cities and tragically, rates of self-harm and suicide increase with remoteness.

“We are particularly pleased to see the reference to the need for home grown professionals as the Strategy notes that people originating from rural and remote areas often have a preference to undertake training and employment in their own or comparable communities. The Strategy rightly notes that there needs to be a focus on developing, growing and sustaining the regional, rural and remote mental health workforce through providing localised education, training and placement opportunities for students,” said the Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen.

The Push-Up Challenge Student Ambassador Program 2024

October 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Student Ambassadors will lead their school mates, teachers and school community in The Push-Up Challenge by cheering them on to get fit, have fun and learn about mental health.

Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge, is calling on students passionate about mental health to apply for its 2024 Student Ambassador Program.

Students completing Year 10, 11 and Year 12 in 2024 anywhere in Australia can apply to be a Student Ambassador and make a difference to the mental health of their school community. They will be equipped with mental health awareness training, resources and leadership support to coordinate The Push-Up Challenge at their school.

Founder of The Push-Up Challenge, Nick Hudson, says the Student Ambassador program is one of the team’s proudest achievements to date. “Watching students from around the country bring their communities together through fun and fitness is such a special thing” he commented.

Ambassadors benefit by gaining skills and experience in leading a community-based project, coordinating health promotion events and activities, and contributing to a good cause.

“When we think about mental health, we often think of mental illness. The Student Ambassador program aims to help students reframe this perception by providing tools to increase their mental health knowledge and build confidence in encouraging conversations about mental health with peers and community,” said Hudson.

The Push-Up Challenge will take place mid year in 2024, across three weeks. This year, 215,000 Australians took part in The Push-Up Challenge, collectively completing a staggering 315 million push-ups in 23 days and raising over $14.7 million for mental health charities Lifeline, Movember and Push for Better Foundation.

Learn about The Push-Up Challenge’s Student Ambassador program and apply to take part, visit www.thepushupchallenge.com.au

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Pink Promise

October 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

October 1 marked the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and at Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) the theme is “Living Well, Your Way”. With 20,458 women and 217 men expected to receive a diagnosis in 2023, raising awareness around the different support and resources available to help people live well with or beyond breast cancer is essential.

The theme recognises that many people struggle to ‘live well’ following a diagnosis of breast cancer and that a quality lifestyle looks different for different people.

“Living well looks different for everyone, and it is likely that people affected by breast cancer will require different types of support at different times,” said BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti. “It means seeing the whole person, rather than the disease.”

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BCNA will share information about different resources available, across topics such as psychosocial support and exercise. They will also share personal stories from members about what helps them to live well.

BCNA offer trusted information and a variety of resources which can all be accessed via BCNA’s newly refreshed website at www.bcna.org.au.

Parkes IGA Supports Pink Up Parkes

October 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Parkes IGA Store Manager Steven Langlois, and popular employee Joyce Sefonte dressed in Pink to support Pink Up Parkes.

Businesses, schools and organisations across Parkes are showing their support, and getting involved in Pink Up Parkes for the month of October to help raise money for the McGrath Foundation who support Breast Care nurses across Australia.

At IGA in Parkes the Store Manager Steven Langlois is putting it all on the line to raise as much money as he can for the cause. Steven has set a fundraising target that they will donate to Pink Up Parkes, and once the target is raised he is committing to shave his head. So head on into IGA and support a great cause.

Can A Sports Injury Increase Your Risk Of Breast Cancer?

September 29, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Leading breast cancer surgeon, Associate Professor Sanjay Warrier busts sporting injury myth.

If you had an active childhood spent playing sports afterschool or on the weekend you might have sustained the odd sports injury here and there in those rough and tumble days. Let’s face it, netball can get a bit rough and elbows tend to go flying at the best of times. Sometimes our old injuries can come back to haunt us as we age.

Some people believe that sports injuries can lead to breast cancer, however, Associate Professor Sanjay Warrier assures everyone that this is not the case. There is no link between sports injuries and cancer, he clarified, however, an injury may draw attention to a previously formed lump, which is then how the cancer is detected.

Associate Professor Warrier is one of the world’s leading breast health and breast cancer surgeons who has built a highly respected practice in Sydney. The practice spans three locations with its main surgical centre located at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Camperdown, and the other sites at BMA House, Macquarie Street, Sydney and Bondi Junction Medical, Oxford Street, Bondi Junction.

In addition to Associate Professor Warrier’s breast health and surgical work, he also dedicates considerable time to research exploring and developing advancements in breast cancer detection and treatments to improve outcomes for patients. He also developed the world’s first Master of Breast Surgery which is delivered through the University of Sydney.

Injuries cannot cause cancer

“Injuries cannot cause cancer, but an injury may lead to finding cancer in the injured area. For example, a bone that is weak from a cancerous tumour is more likely to break. So, if an accident occurs during a sporting event and the bone breaks, then during the course of treatment for the injury, the cancer is discovered,” Associate Professor Warrier explained.

“There is no data or indication that trauma of any kind to the breast is linked to breast cancer or can cause breast cancer. This is a myth that has circulated for many years without foundation.”

Breast trauma causes lumps

“People are understandably concerned that breast injury/trauma can cause cancer because the trauma can cause lumps to develop. These lumps, however, are not cancerous. Let me explain further: there are two types of lumps that can develop from trauma. The first is called hematoma and this is a deep bruise that will heal. The other is fat necrosis, which is scarred fatty tissue in the breast that results from injury,” Associate Professor Warrier said.

“If you have had some sports injury around the breast area, and you are concerned, the best thing to do is to book in for a mammogram. This will give you peace of mind about the risks.”

So what does cause breast cancer?

“Certain risk factors are, getting older, having a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, previous treatment using radiation therapy, reproductive history and genetic mutations,” Associate Professor Warrier added.

Further information https://www.drsanjaywarrier.com.au.

One Of Australia’s Deadliest Cancers Has Doubled In The Last 20 Years

September 29, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Data just released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)i estimates that more Australians than ever before will be claimed by pancreatic cancer, a disease that is, for the first time, acknowledged to be a common cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has a devastatingly low five-year survival rate of only 12.5%. The disease is predicted to claim more lives than breast cancer this year (an estimated 3,669 people) and has the lowest survival rate of all common cancers. Over 4500 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, and 80 per cent of patients will die within 12 months.

“Pancreatic cancer results in limited visibility and reduced public awareness, and consequently, many people are aware that pancreatic cancer is now a common cancer,” says Michelle Stewart, CEO of PanKind, The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

“In contrast, more high-profile cancers experience survival rates of over 90% while for pancreatic cancer the survival rate is only 12.5%, which drops alarmingly to just 6.8% for people who live in regional Australia,” continued Ms Stewart. There has never been a more critical time to call for increased funding.”

MLA Raises A Fork To Celebrate The Value Of Red Meat

August 31, 2023 By Roxane Manley

As the world celebrates World Iron Awareness Week, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) proudly joins the global effort to raise awareness about the pivotal role that red meat plays in a healthy diet.

This annual campaign, taking place this week from 28 August to 3 September, aims to highlight the importance of adequate iron intake and its impact on global health.

According to the latest Consumer Sentiment research from MLA, 73% of Australians see red meat as an important source of nutrition, with 58% noting it being a rich source of iron as the main health reason for consuming beef and lamb.

Managing Director for MLA, Jason Strong, said it was no secret that red meat is an essential source of iron, but many people do not currently get enough iron in their diet.

“Red meat is a crucial component of a balanced diet, especially for individuals with higher dietary iron needs. Its heme iron content allows for more efficient absorption, helping to reduce risk of iron deficiency and other associated health issues,” Mr Strong said.

Iron deficiency remains one of the most prevalent and critical nutritional challenges worldwide, affecting millions of people, particularly in low and middle-income countries.

Red meat, such as beef, lamb, and goatmeat, is an excellent source of heme iron, which is the most easily absorbed form of iron by the human body.

Within Australia, MLA has launched a website all about the importance of iron in a healthy diet. Australian Good Meat will also feature a series of informative content across its website and social media channels.

Stressed And Obsessed: The True Toll Of Diet Culture On Australian Women

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Worrying new research has unveiled that on average, Australian women alarmingly spend nearly 15 years of their lives dieting, with over a third experiencing negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, stress, and sadness in their pursuit of shedding weight.

This disheartening reality could be affecting the roughly 7,200 women living in the Parkes community. Health care professionals want to encourage women in the area to seek assistance on their weight loss journey and understand they don’t have to do it alone.

Endocrinologist, Dr. Ramy Bishay says “Far too often obesity is considered a lifestyle condition, but this report demonstrates that the ‘eat less, move more’ mantra is failing women. We simply can’t expect women to undue thousands of years of adaptation to starvation, in a matter of weeks or months by ‘eating less and moving more’.”

Additionally, Parkes currently falls within Australia’s Distribution Priority Area catchment, which identifies locations in Australia with a shortage of medical practitioners. This is a concern for locals that need to consult a healthcare professional as they embark on their weight loss journey with shortages potentially causing longer wait times for healthcare appointments.

Annika Receives CWA Education Grant

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

One of CWA NSW’s priorities is to support students to further their education, by offering grants and scholarships to school and tertiary students assisting to pay for educational expenses. It used to be fees and textbooks, but in today’s world of technology, it’s software and electronic devices.

Forbes Evening CWA Branch is pleased to support local student Annika Dukes, further her education by contributing financially towards the purchase of software and an upgraded device on which she can complete her assessments.

Annika is completing a Certificate IV Community Pharmacy Dispensing. She started this online course through the Pharmacy Guild Australia in January this year, after starting work at Life Pharmacy Forbes.

Annika said she soon realised the potential in being able to assist the community more through this type of employment after seeing all the behind the scenes work that goes into filling prescriptions and supporting customers.

Annika has learnt about CTG (Closing the Gap), concessions and Health Care Cards and how they apply to scripts, different medications and how they can help, as well as how to fill prescriptions.

Annika said, “I have already completed three assessments, with 15 more to go. Each assessment takes about three weeks and about fifty pages as well as a verbal assessment over the phone for each one,” she commented. Her course will take three years to complete.

“It’s been difficult not having the same software as my teacher as everything is done online and over the phone. My old laptop does not support that software,” Annika commented.

“This financial assistance from Forbes CWA Evening Branch will remove quite a few obstacles and make it much easier to complete assessments and receive feedback from my teacher by allowing me to get the appropriate software and laptop,” stated Annika.

Ms Robyn Miller, President of Forbes CWA Evening Branch presented Annika with her cheque at Life Pharmacy, commenting, “Education is one of the most valuable things we can possess, so we are pleased to be able to support a local person on their journey of learning,” she said.

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