New Wellbeing Line Boosts Rural Women's Health Access

New wellbeing line improves health access for women in rural Queensland

• New Women's Wellbeing Line provides support to women who are geographically or socially isolated from health services.
• The $11.3 million virtual service provides essential mental healthcare, counselling, pregnancy loss advice and health referrals.
• Women's Health and Equality Queensland operates the service via a call line (1800 4 WOMEN), email and webchat six days a week.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering expanded medical services for women and girls in regional and rural Queensland, with the new virtual counselling Women's Wellbeing Line.

Staffed by trained counsellors and midwives, the service offers a telephone and web chat service and will soon offer face-to-face video conferencing.

Since December, 1800 4 WOMEN has assisted nearly 180 people, who sought support for non-crisis mental health support, grief and loss counselling following pregnancy or neonatal loss, midwifery support and advice, and domestic and sexual violence counselling.

The service supports the Crisafulli Government's commitment to diagnose, treat and cure Labor's Health Crisis, and to improve outcomes for all Queenslanders no matter where they live.

The service is operated by Women's Health and Equality Queensland and supported by the Queensland Government with a $11.35 million investment over four years.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was committed to boosting mental health services across the state.

"The service responds to the vital need for more accessible women-focused mental health and wellbeing care statewide and is a lifeline for many Queensland women, especially in regional, rural and remote areas," Minister Nicholls said.

"The Women's Wellbeing Line is one way our Government is helping regional and rural women to have access to professional health support where and when they need it most.

"Another way we are delivering on our commitment to boost mental health services is through the provision of 30 perinatal mental health for new mothers and their families."

Minister for Women and Women's Economic Security Fiona Simpson said the free counselling service would support some of our most vulnerable community members. 

"The Crisafulli Government is committed to advancing women's health, safety, wellbeing as well as boosting women's economic security, which is vital to self-determination and empowering women to have greater choices in life," Minister Simpson said.