World Menopause Day on 18th October highlighted this significant time of life that every woman, and people experiencing menopause face.

To raise awareness about their new Dorset-wide service, local mental health charity Dorset Mind has announced Menopause support that people can access in 28 Doctors' surgeries and at The Lantern Trust, Weymouth.

There are 13 million people currently peri or menopausal in the UK – a third of the female population. 90% of people have menopausal symptoms and 10% of women leave their jobs because of them (The Menopause Charity).

Menopause is defined as when periods stop due to low hormone levels. Physical symptoms can occur such as lack of sleep, hot flushes, anger, irritability, and forgetfulness. These symptoms are well documented, but anxiety, extreme low mood and suicidal thoughts are less known and can be devastating for women, usually aged 45 to 55. But it can start much earlier.

Dorset Mind's Active Monitoring Menopause pathway was designed with input from staff and volunteers with lived experience.

Mery Zanutto, Dorset Mind's Active Monitoring Team Leader, played a crucial role in the development of this pathway, alongside the team at national Mind.

Mery says, "As a former Advanced Surgical Practitioner and having experienced the Menopause journey both naturally and surgically induced, Mind felt I could provide clinical and personal experience input into the materials. We've seen increased awareness and demand for support amongst patients in the past two years, and wanted to address and respond to these increasing enquiries.

Our new pathway focuses on perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause which, together with the two additional resources of "The Role of Hormones" and "How to Best Manage the Menopause Treatment", will provide people with basic knowledge."

Linda O'Sullivan, Dorset Mind CEO adds, "It's important that everyone knows and understands the menopause. Even if you're not affected personally, women in your family, friendship group or colleagues will experience this 'second stage' in life. It's essential for women to feel empowered and fulfilled in all areas of their lives and we're dedicated to providing this vital and accessible support.

In partnership with NHS Primary Care Networks (groups of GP Surgeries), Dorset Mind delivers its Active Monitoring service.

The menopause pathway sits alongside six pathways for mild to moderate mental health conditions. They address anger, anxiety, depression, stress, grief and loss, and loneliness.

The charity's Practitioners guide patients through six weekly 1-2-1 sessions. Referrals can be made by healthcare professionals or through self-referrals to the Lantern Trust - and there is often little or no waiting list for accessing support.

Find out more on the organisation's website, dorsetmind.uk.

While Dorset Mind provides valuable support in these areas, please note that GPs remain the primary resource for clinical guidance.