The mental health effects of perimenopause can be severe and swift - often arriving at a time in a woman's life when she may have no other symptoms and be completely unaware of what is happening to her.

Craig Gaunt became aware of this knowledge gap after losing his wife, Debbie, to suicide in 2019, following severe and sudden mental health issues that have since been partially attributed to the hormonal effects of perimenopause.

To honour Debbie, the Gaunt family set up the Debbie Gaunt Foundation, which works to fund projects aimed at providing a greater understanding of the mental health impacts of perimenopause and other conditions that affect women's mental health. To find out more, head to debbiegauntfoundation.com.au

The mental health effects of perimenopause can be severe and swift - often arriving at a time in a woman's life when she may have no other symptoms and be completely unaware of what is happening to her.
Craig Gaunt became aware of this knowledge gap after losing his wife, Debbie, to suicide in 2019, following severe and sudden mental health issues that have since been partially attributed to the hormonal effects of perimenopause.
To honour Debbie, the Gaunt family set up the Debbie Gaunt Foundation, which works to fund projects aimed at providing a greater understanding of the mental health impacts of perimenopause and other conditions that affect women's mental health. To find out more, head to debbiegauntfoundation.com.au

At Prevention we know how confusing and truly overwhelming the changes caused by menopause can be. That’s why we’ve enlisted some of Australia’s best health experts to share simple ways to make midlife easier in our new podcast, Thriving in Menopause. We cover it all, from minimising those awful hot flushes, to easing mad-eyed mood swings, to managing sudden weight shifts, to handling your relationship. If you’re a woman in midlife, this series just for you!

Thriving In Menopause

S12 E3 The Debbie Gaunt Foundation - championing women's mental health

In this raw, funny and deeply honest episode, comedian, writer, broadcaster and advocate Em Rusciano joins Prevention Editor Zoe Meunier to talk about her unfiltered experience of midlife, menopause and self-discovery – as shared in her new memoir, Blood, Sweat and Glitter.

Em opens up about navigating perimenopause, ADHD, and autism, and the reckoning that comes when your hormones – and your priorities – shift. With her signature mix of humour and heart, she describes this chapter of life as an “emotional exfoliation” – a painful but liberating shedding of everything that no longer serves you.

Determined to help the women who have reached out to her about their own peri and menopausal struggles, Em is eager to show that midlife isn’t a breakdown – it’s a breakthrough. As she puts it, menopause is “not the end of relevance but the start of real power.” Her story is both a rallying cry and a reassurance to every woman feeling like she’s losing her mind: you’re not. You’re evolving. Don't miss this powerful episode.

In this raw, funny and deeply honest episode, comedian, writer, broadcaster and advocate <a href="emrusciano.com">Em Rusciano</a> joins Prevention Editor Zoe Meunier to talk about her unfiltered experience of midlife, menopause and self-discovery &ndash; as shared in her new memoir, Blood, Sweat and Glitter.
Em opens up about navigating perimenopause, ADHD, and autism, and the reckoning that comes when your hormones &ndash; and your priorities &ndash; shift. With her signature mix of humour and heart, she describes this chapter of life as an&nbsp;&ldquo;emotional exfoliation&rdquo; &ndash; a painful but liberating shedding of everything that no longer serves you.
Determined to help the women who have reached out to her about their own peri and menopausal struggles, Em is eager to show that midlife isn&rsquo;t a breakdown &ndash; it&rsquo;s a breakthrough. As she puts it, menopause is &ldquo;not the end of relevance but the start of real power.&rdquo; Her story is both a rallying cry and a reassurance to every woman feeling like she&rsquo;s losing her mind: you&rsquo;re not. You&rsquo;re evolving. Don't miss this powerful episode.

S14 E6 Em Rusciano's menopause mission

How can workplaces better support women through menopause – and why does it matter for everyone?

In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention Australia editor Zoe Meunier speaks with Grace Molloy, CEO of Menopause Friendly Australia (menopausefriendlyaustralia.com.au), the organisation helping employers create inclusive, understanding and supportive environments for midlife women.

Grace shares how the movement toward menopause-supportive workplaces is gathering momentum, why it’s good for both people and business, and how forward-thinking employers are taking real action to retain and empower experienced women. From practical initiatives and policy examples to the human stories driving change, this conversation shines a light on what true cultural change looks like.

Learn what it means to be a menopause-friendly accredited workplace, including the five standards of accreditation and how they help businesses support women.

Find out more about becoming a menopause-friendly workplace at menopausefriendlyaustralia.com.au

How can workplaces better support women through menopause &ndash; and why does it matter for everyone?
In this episode of Thriving in Menopause, Prevention Australia editor Zoe Meunier speaks with Grace Molloy, CEO of Menopause Friendly Australia (<a data-start="1542" data-end="1620">menopausefriendlyaustralia.com.au</a>), the organisation helping employers create inclusive, understanding and supportive environments for midlife women.
Grace shares how the movement toward menopause-supportive workplaces is gathering momentum, why it&rsquo;s good for both people and business, and how forward-thinking employers are taking real action to retain and empower experienced women. From practical initiatives and policy examples to the human stories driving change, this conversation shines a light on what true cultural change looks like.
Learn what it means to be a menopause-friendly accredited workplace, including the five standards of accreditation and how they help businesses support women.
Find out more about becoming a menopause-friendly workplace at&nbsp;<a data-start="1542" data-end="1620">menopausefriendlyaustralia.com.au</a>

S14 E5 Making menopause everyone's business

Fertility is often one of the most confusing – and surprising – aspects of perimenopause. Your hormones are fluctuating, your periods might be irregular, but yes, you can still fall pregnant. For some women, that’s an unexpected joy; for others, a wake-up call. And for those trying to conceive later in life, it can be a time filled with questions, hope and uncertainty.

In this episode, we speak with reproductive endocrinologist Dr Devini Ameratunga (drdevameratunga.com), who specialises in hormonal and reproductive health, to unpack what really happens to fertility during perimenopause.

Whether you’re hoping to conceive, avoid pregnancy, or simply understand your body better, this conversation offers clarity, reassurance and expert advice to help you make informed choices about your reproductive health during perimenopause.

For more expert insights on thriving in midlife, subscribe to Thriving in Menopause and pick up the latest issue of Prevention Australia magazine.

Fertility is often one of the most confusing &ndash; and surprising &ndash; aspects of perimenopause. Your hormones are fluctuating, your periods might be irregular, but yes, you can still fall pregnant. For some women, that&rsquo;s an unexpected joy; for others, a wake-up call. And for those trying to conceive later in life, it can be a time filled with questions, hope and uncertainty.
In this episode, we speak with reproductive endocrinologist&nbsp;Dr Devini Ameratunga (drdevameratunga.com), who specialises in hormonal and reproductive health, to unpack what really happens to fertility during perimenopause.
Whether you&rsquo;re hoping to conceive, avoid pregnancy, or simply understand your body better, this conversation offers clarity, reassurance and expert advice to help you make informed choices about your reproductive health during perimenopause.
For more expert insights on thriving in midlife, subscribe to&nbsp;Thriving in Menopause and pick up the latest issue of Prevention Australia magazine.

S12 E3 The Debbie Gaunt Foundation - championing women's mental health

In 1 playlist(s)

Thriving In Menopause

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips