So far the stories I have featured on Central Coast Stories have been light-hearted, artists and musicians, but every now and then a story comes along that just needs to be told.

Today’s guest is Craig Gaunt. He is the founder of the Debbie Gaunt Foundation. Craig started this Foundation to raise awareness of perimenopausal depression and to provide a place that could support women going through perimenopause. He did this because his wife Debbie tragically died by suicide in 2019. Even though today’s story has got serious themes, I just hope that you will stay with us because it is a really important conversation, not just for women, but for men, for their families, for society. And during today’s discussion with Craig I will be sharing some information from Professor Kulkarni.

Craig reached out to Professor Kulkarni from Monash University after the loss of his wife and he said that the help and support that he has received from them has been outstanding. And I spoke with Professor Kulkarni she is the Director of HER Centre Australia, and the Head of Psychiatry Department at Monash University. She gave me this important statement to read out in today’s episode.

“Perimenopause starts in the brain with symptoms of depression, anxiety and brain fog, concentration and memory changes, about four to five years before body symptoms. The average age of perimenopause onset is 43.”

In the show notes today they are going to be jam-packed with some links for you. This is not an extensive list by any means but hopefully you can find something in that list that helps you with where you are at right now.

Before we get into today’s episode here are some numbers for you to write down to use if needed. And I encourage you if today’s episode raises any issues for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 and you can also call The Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 so please give them a call if you need to at any time during today’s episode or after, thank you.

Now to today’s chat with Craig.

And just a short statement before we start, today’s episode provides information about perimenopause but listeners are encouraged to seek their own medical advice and support from their primary health physicians.

Copyright Kayleen Bell Journalist & Producer of Central Coast Stories Podcast 

Show Note Links:

Disclaimer: Please note I am a journalist not a health professional – all information provided in today’s episode is for information and not diagnostic purposes. Listeners are strongly encouraged to see their GPs and health professionals for medical advice. Even users of the MAPrc Meno D diagnositic tool below are encouraged to seek medical opinion.

Women (& your families) there is lots of help out there! Helpline phone numbers:

Lifeline Crisis Support – Call 131114 https://www.lifeline.org.au/131114/

Suicide Call Back Service – Call 1300 659 467

https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/

Beyond Blue Support service – Call 1300 22 4636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Perimenopause & Mental Health Information Links:

Debbie Gaunt Foundation Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DebbieGauntFoundation/

Website: Iris Foundation/Debbie Gaunt Foundation

https://www.irisfoundation.org.au/debbie-gaunt-foundation/

Monash Online Education Module – Module 2 paid for by Debbie Gaunt Foundation

https://www.monash.edu/medicine/ccs/psychiatry/short-courses/womens-mental-health

MAPrc – Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre Melbourne - Meno-D A Rating Scale to Detect Depression in Menopause
https://www.maprc.org.au/sites/www.maprc.org.au/files/MENO-D_0.pdf

Australasian Menopause Society (find Dr) https://www.menopause.org.au/

Wellfemme website (Telehealth Menopause Clinic) https://wellfemme.com.au/

The Hon (Bronnie) Bronwyn Taylor MLC – Member of the Legislative Council, Minister for Women, Minister for Regional Health and Minister for Mental Health – Deputy Leader of The Nationals https://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-06/Bronnie-Taylor-Matt-Kean-Brad-Hazzard-med-rel-%2440- million-in-funding-for-menopause-services.pdf

Don’t Sweat It - Shelly Horton & Dr Ginni Mansberg https://dontsweatit.com.au/

Dear Menopause Podcast by Sonya Lovell – special guest Alison Brahe-Daddo https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/alison-brahe-daddo-from-model-to-menopausal- mother/id1621028995?i=1000564063309

Queen Menopause Book by Alison Daddo as promo by Mamamia https://www.mamamia.com.au/queen-menopause-alison-daddo/

Mama Mia - Very Peri Summit (Online until end of 2022 - $99) https://www.veryperisummit.com.au/ 



Elena Parashko website (Artist) https://elenaparashko.com/

So far the stories I have featured on Central Coast Stories have been light-hearted, artists and musicians, but every now and then a story comes along that just needs to be told.
Today’s guest is Craig Gaunt. He is the founder of the Debbie Gaunt Foundation. Craig started this Foundation to raise awareness of perimenopausal depression and to provide a place that could support women going through perimenopause. He did this because his wife Debbie tragically died by suicide in 2019. Even though today’s story has got serious themes, I just hope that you will stay with us because it is a really important conversation, not just for women, but for men, for their families, for society. And during today’s discussion with Craig I will be sharing some information from Professor Kulkarni.
Craig reached out to Professor Kulkarni from Monash University after the loss of his wife and he said that the help and support that he has received from them has been outstanding. And I spoke with Professor Kulkarni she is the Director of HER Centre Australia, and the Head of Psychiatry Department at Monash University. She gave me this important statement to read out in today’s episode.
“Perimenopause starts in the brain with symptoms of depression, anxiety and brain fog, concentration and memory changes, about four to five years before body symptoms. The average age of perimenopause onset is 43.”
In the show notes today they are going to be jam-packed with some links for you. This is not an extensive list by any means but hopefully you can find something in that list that helps you with where you are at right now.
Before we get into today’s episode here are some numbers for you to write down to use if needed. And I encourage you if today’s episode raises any issues for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 and you can also call The Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 so please give them a call if you need to at any time during today’s episode or after, thank you.
Now to today’s chat with Craig.
And just a short statement before we start, today’s episode provides information about perimenopause but listeners are encouraged to seek their own medical advice and support from their primary health physicians.
Copyright Kayleen Bell Journalist &amp; Producer of Central Coast Stories Podcast 
Show Note Links:
Disclaimer: Please note I am a journalist not a health professional – all information provided in today’s episode is for information and not diagnostic purposes. Listeners are strongly encouraged to see their GPs and health professionals for medical advice. Even users of the MAPrc Meno D diagnositic tool below are encouraged to seek medical opinion.
Women (&amp; your families) there is lots of help out there! Helpline phone numbers:
Lifeline Crisis Support – Call 131114 https://www.lifeline.org.au/131114/
Suicide Call Back Service – Call 1300 659 467
<a href="https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/">https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/</a>
Beyond Blue Support service – Call 1300 22 4636 <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">https://www.beyondblue.org.au/</a>
Perimenopause &amp; Mental Health Information Links:
Debbie Gaunt Foundation Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DebbieGauntFoundation/">https://www.facebook.com/DebbieGauntFoundation/</a>
Website: Iris Foundation/Debbie Gaunt Foundation
<a href="https://www.irisfoundation.org.au/debbie-gaunt-foundation/">https://www.irisfoundation.org.au/debbie-gaunt-foundation/</a>
Monash Online Education Module – Module 2 paid for by Debbie Gaunt Foundation
<a href="https://www.monash.edu/medicine/ccs/psychiatry/short-courses/womens-mental-health">https://www.monash.edu/medicine/ccs/psychiatry/short-courses/womens-mental-health</a>
MAPrc – Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre Melbourne - Meno-D A Rating Scale to Detect Depression in Menopause <a href="https://www.maprc.org.au/sites/www.maprc.org.au/files/MENO-D_0.pdf">https://www.maprc.org.au/sites/www.maprc.org.au/files/MENO-D_0.pdf</a>
Australasian Menopause Society (find Dr) <a href="https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/find-an-ams-doctor">https://www.menopause.org.au/</a>
Wellfemme website (Telehealth Menopause Clinic) <a href="https://wellfemme.com.au/">https://wellfemme.com.au/</a>
The Hon (Bronnie) Bronwyn Taylor MLC – Member of the Legislative Council, Minister for Women, Minister for Regional Health and Minister for Mental Health – Deputy Leader of The Nationals https://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-06/Bronnie-Taylor-Matt-Kean-Brad-Hazzard-med-rel-%2440- million-in-funding-for-menopause-services.pdf
Don’t Sweat It - Shelly Horton &amp; Dr Ginni Mansberg <a href="https://dontsweatit.com.au/">https://dontsweatit.com.au/</a>
Dear Menopause Podcast by Sonya Lovell – special guest Alison Brahe-Daddo https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/alison-brahe-daddo-from-model-to-menopausal- mother/id1621028995?i=1000564063309
Queen Menopause Book by Alison Daddo as promo by Mamamia <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/queen-menopause-alison-daddo/">https://www.mamamia.com.au/queen-menopause-alison-daddo/</a>
Mama Mia - Very Peri Summit (Online until end of 2022 - $99) <a href="https://www.veryperisummit.com.au/">https://www.veryperisummit.com.au/ </a>
 
Elena Parashko website (Artist) <a href="https://elenaparashko.com/">https://elenaparashko.com/</a>

A podcast sharing the stories of local people who live on the Central Coast.  I believe every person has many stories to tell if they are given the time to talk and I find all people interesting.  This podcast may feature famous people but the main guests will be every day people who live on the Central Coast.
By Journalist, Host, & Producer Kayleen Bell

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