Dear community,
The cooler change of Djeran is definitely here, and April’s long weekends have hopefully provided a welcome chance to rest and recharge.
Luma is buzzing with exciting new offerings for May! We’re particularly proud to launch our support group for women living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) or those managing overwhelming emotions. With 75% of BPD diagnoses affecting women, this service fills a critical need in our community.
We’ve also expanded our Body Esteem Program (BEP) with truly holistic care. Clients now receive medical check-ups with our nurse practitioner which is an essential but often overlooked recovery component. We are offering these plus free dietitian consultations and art therapy sessions to all our BEP clients aged 14+.
On the policy front, I’m tracking the election promises being made that will impact women with keen interest. Current proposals addressing women’s health funding, violence against women and plans to continue closing the gender pay gap are all on my radar. Commitments in these areas could significantly impact Australian women and those calling out for meaningful action.
I’m particularly excited about the new PBS subsidies being introduced. These will make essential medications for contraception, endometriosis, and IVF more affordable – a change that could save women thousands annually.
Thank you for being part of our community and for your ongoing support in advancing women’s health.
Bethany Lord
CEO, Luma
Women’s DBT Group: A space for emotional regulation, mindfulness and acceptance.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a gentle and powerful therapy for working with intense emotions, improving relationships, stabilising moods, and it’s especially powerful for women living with borderline personality disorder (BPD). We’re proud to be offering this new 10-week program where our therapists create a safe, supportive environment to discover emotional regulation, mindfulness, acceptance, how to navigate stressful situations, and communicating calmly and assertively.
The most beautiful team to support you through an eating disorder
Our Body Esteem Program (BEP) is bigger, better, and more holistic than ever. This incredible program was built on lived experience – by women who’ve been there, walked the path of recovery, and just get it. Lived experience is known to deeply enhance treatment, recovery and support. It truly redefines what healing can look like. And now, we’re proud to also offer art therapy, nutritional support and physical health checks with a nurse practitioner. A special mention to the Mental Health Commission for making our support possible.
Supporting vulnerable children in WA
It was truly inspiring to attend the Telethon Breakfast earlier this month, with so many other beneficiaries, generous donors, fundraisers, volunteers and partners who make a meaningful difference to the lives of vulnerable children in WA. This year, Telethon committed over $180,000 to support two of our programs at Luma, which give therapeutic support to vulnerable children. Thanks to this support, we can continue helping young people who’ve experienced trauma to build a brighter future.
Food for thought: What we’re reading and listening to
Luma Review of the Month: A lovely review about our Case Worker who provides lived-experience care to people with severe and persistent mental health conditions: “Please pass on a massive thank you to the Joondalup counsellor Kelson. Legit that man made me feel more comfortable and had such a wealth of knowledge and an open book about their own past. I have spent thousands on people who aren’t even half that good.”
Video of the month: Our amazing Elder Connect Support Worker, Sharon, sat down with our marketing officer to talk about Luma’s Aboriginal groups run for women, by women. Watch the video here.
Article of the month: Uterine fibroids are a common medical condition that can cause intense pain, heavy periods, and in some cases infertility. But a lack of research means the cause and full impact remains unknown. We recently chatted with ABC News about this for their article and video.
