Jamie Jansen

Journalist

A gender equal world, free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. Breaking the Bias is not only this year’s theme of International Women’s Day, it is also one of the motives for Jenny Bill to start up a Women’s Support Group.

Every second Wednesday of the month all women of the Douglas Shire are welcome at this free support group; run by women, for women.

Jenny Bill is principal practitioner at Mossman Port Douglas Counselling Services (MPDCS) and started up the support group exclusively for women in January this year. 

“The group is available to all women who may be looking for support or connections in their community”, she explained. “The group is driven by the needs of the women; they are welcome to speak about anything that is on their minds, but there is no expectation to.”

Ms Bill makes sure that the women are welcomed in a safe and comfortable environment. “I set up chairs in a circle around a long low-set coffee table, there is tea, coffee and water and something to snack. The aim is to provide a welcoming environment, facilitate and monitor safety and confidentiality, and to provide information on assorted topics.

“Entering a therapeutic support group can be a highly rewarding and powerful experience. There are many benefits to therapeutic groups including learning new tools and skills, increased self-awareness, better relationships with others, and improved quality of life.

“Topics that have come up so far are stress, depression, anxiety, grief, loneliness, relationship challenges, parenting challenges and bullying at school and at the workplace. We have also spoken about having to deal with a narcissist and how difficult that can be.”

#BreakingtheBias

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, Breaking the Bias, especially speaks to Ms Bill because of a personal experience in her youth.

While she grew up in a loving family, her parent’s relationship consisted of very traditional roles. “My mother had given up paid work as soon as she became pregnant with me and never worked for a wage again while my father provided for us financially.

“At the age of 14, my mother told me that she and my father could only afford to pay for my brother to go to university as he needed to get a good career so that he could financially provide for his future family. She added that I wouldn’t need a career because my future husband would financially provide for our family.

“I never gave university another thought until I was in my early thirties. My husband and I moved to Queensland with our three young sons and I didn’t know what to do with my life here. I helped out in the classrooms of my son’s school when one day their teacher suggested I enrol in university. Suddenly, I felt really excited and driven to actually do this for myself.

“After studying for almost 6 years, part-time because of my other commitments, I graduated receiving a Dean’s Commendation. It was such a proud and exciting moment.

“Going to university in my thirties was proof that it is never too late to change your life. I was a good role model for our sons and so was their dad as they watched on as he fully supported me in my studies, helped with the housework, and we parented our sons together.

“#BreakTheBias calls for us all to stand up for a gender equal world; a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. Together, we can break the bias in our families, our communities, workplaces, schools, colleges and universities.”

A gap to fill

Since opening Mossman Port Douglas Counselling Services in February 2021, Ms Bill has identified a need for a women’s support group, a gap to fill.

“Women in the Douglas Shire are more isolated than women in other regional areas and there is not very much on offer here, especially not for free. It made sense for me to start a women’s support group to offer women in the Shire a safe place to attend to once a month to gain support and make connections.”

Brandi Duggan is one of the women who has attended the group several times. She thinks the Women’s Support Group is a wonderful concept. “It provides a safe place where women in our community are able to talk about a wide range of topics relating to life’s challenges”, she said.

“Confidentiality is respected and ‘what is said in the group stays in the group’. Everyone can find life overwhelming sometimes and sharing concerns with others who are supportive makes all the difference.”
Ms Bill said she has no intention of ever charging women for this group. She is happy to provide the service free of charge for the community, with gratitude.

“I want to give back to my community. I have received free support at crucial times in my life and I was very grateful for this. Offering this free service is my way of paying that forward. I want to offer my skills and experiences in this way as I am genuinely passionate about my role in the helping profession.”

Future dreams

“Eventually I hope to invite female guest speakers from assorted backgrounds to present on certain topics of interest. I don’t claim to know it all, nor do I have all the answers and so I plan to link in with other service providers and have them arrange a female staff member to present a short talk.

“The sessions are currently being offered for an hour, however, for this month’s International Women’s Day, I am offering a ninety minute session. If this group grows and an hour is not enough, I am happy to provide ninety minutes for future sessions.”

Ms Bill said that the support group is still in a trial period and will be reviewed after 6 months. “I welcome feedback from all women in the Shire as to what day or time would be suitable so that I can make an informed decision in June, at the review time.”

Bookings for the support group are essential. You can call Jenny Bill at 0427 807 729 to book your spot, or email jenny.bill@mpdcs.com.au