Living with arthritis can be challenging, but you’re not alone. Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA’s friendly support groups offer a welcoming space to share experiences, connect with others who understand, and learn practical ways to manage symptoms and enhance wellbeing.
A Special Mental Health and Wellbeing Presentation Series: Thanks to Alike WA
Thanks to a Pay it Forward Grant from Alike WA, Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA was delighted to host a special series of Mental Health and Wellbeing presentations for our support groups this year.
The Pay it Forward initiative funds community projects that strengthen mental health and wellbeing, an area especially important for people living with long-term health conditions such as arthritis.
The series explored key themes including “How Pain and Your Feelings Are Linked” and “Building Connection to Improve Wellbeing.”
Led by occupational therapist Ms Annabelle Taylor, the sessions drew on her extensive experience in mental health, rehabilitation, and chronic pain management. Annabelle guided participants through the interconnected relationship between pain and emotion, sharing practical strategies such as mindfulness, pacing and acceptance.
She also introduced techniques to help participants recognise signals of threat versus safety in the body and mind, supporting emotional regulation and effective pain management. Combined with simple calming techniques like breathing and grounding exercises, this approach provided participants with practical tools they could use at home to help manage pain, reduce stress, and enhance overall wellbeing.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Many participants expressed how much they valued learning new ways to understand and manage pain, as well as the reminder that caring for both mind and body is essential. Self-care activities such as listening to music, spending time in nature, gardening, volunteering, prayer and maintaining daily routines were all highlighted as meaningful ways to nurture wellbeing.
The presentations not only increased awareness but also provided emotional validation and practical, easy-to-apply strategies that participants found both helpful and empowering.
AOWA extends its sincere thanks to Alike WA for their generous support in making this initiative possible—and looks forward to continuing this important series in the future.
Join a Support Group Near You
AOWA’s support groups meet regularly across the Perth metropolitan area and regional Western Australia — and new members are always welcome.
Perth
- Armadale Arthritis Social Group – 3rd Tuesday of the month
- Inflammatory Arthritis Support Group – 1st Tuesday of the month
- Joint Replacement Group / Q&A Session – Quarterly, 4th Friday of the month
- Mandurah Arthritis Support Group – 1st Thursday of the month
- Midland Arthritis Support Group – 1st Wednesday of the month
- Osborne Park Evening Inflammatory Arthritis Group – 3rd Wednesday of the month
Regional
- Bunbury Arthritis Support Group – 3rd Wednesday of the month
- Albany Arthritis Support Group – Guest speaker meetings held occasionally throughout the year (call (08) 9842 9229 for details)
Bookings are essential. To register, please call 1800 011 041 or visit our Calendar of Events online.