Mind in Salford helps women through menopause - "A lot of women feel like they’re on their own"

Mind in Salford helps women through menopause – “A lot of women feel like they’re on their own”

Charity Mind in Salford is running sessions aimed at helping women with menopause symptoms.

The 90-minute sessions are being guided by trained mindfulness coordinators at Eccles Gateway. For those who enjoy the in person taster sessions, eight-week courses are also being held live over zoom.

The funded sessions are free to anyone in Greater Manchester who may be experiencing symptoms of the menopause and peri-menopause.

The upcoming dates for the in person 90-minute taster sessions are:

– 30th November at Salford Watersports Centre
– 14th December at Broughton Hub
– 11th January at Eccles Library Salford
– 24th January at Irlam and Cadishead Leisure Centre
– 27th February at Height Library Salford

Map of Mindfulness and Relaxation for Menopause venues.

Alison Watson, training manager at Mind In Salford, said: “The 90-minute sessions are about peer support as well. A lot of women feel like they’re on their own.

“The sessions are there to explain to people what mindfulness is, and how it can support those that are experiencing symptoms of the menopause.

“Anxiety and stress can play quite a big part in symptoms of the menopause. A lot of people are given medication, or anti-depressants straight away by GPs. We’re just trying to show that you can have other things in your tool kit that can help with some of those symptoms as well.”

Lilasuri Morris, mindfulness coordinator at Mind In Salford, added: “To be mindful is to be aware of your thoughts and actions in the present moment without judging yourself.”

Alison said: “we go through breathing techniques and meditation, trying to give different ways and different strategies to sit alongside mindfulness.

“You can practice mindfulness anywhere you want, anywhere you can, you could be out walking and be mindful in nature, it’s not about sitting cross legged on the floor waiting for a bell to chime. We do some sessions like that, some people like being guided in that way.

“We are not medical menopause experts, but we’re people that are experienced in this subject area. Some of us have personal experience as well, so it’s a way of us sharing and encouraging people to support each other.

“We estimate there are between 50 to 70 symptoms of the menopause, people think that they’re waiting for their periods to stop and that’s the menopause. But perimenopause can start years before with things like anxiety, low mood, brain fog.

“Always seek professional medical help, but that doesn’t mean you can’t seek other ways of support. There are so many menopause support groups out there, especially across Salford.

Some of the anonymous feedback from those who have been to these sessions includes: “A wonderful insight into techniques to help with menopausal symptoms with a varied and really useful set of tools.

“I feel more accepting towards my body and what’s happening to it, before it was like all the barriers were up.”