4. Our services

The Women’s Health Center combines direct services (counseling, providing information to empower women’s health decisions and well being) with advocacy (to preserve and expand women’s health access) and community cooperation (to collaborate with all stakeholders on the community level). We are offering a diverse range of services for women and girls as well as for multipliers. On the structural level we work for an adequate health care system for women and girls in working groups and task forces.

FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS

• Counseling (personal, via telephone or e-mail):
  Puberty, menopause, hormone treatments, breast changes, mammography, early cancer diagnosis, pap-smears, fibroids, ovarian cysts, hysterectomy)
  sexualities
  on contraceptive methods for women and girls
  on menstrual pains and premenstrual syndrome
  on planned and unplanned pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis
  on depression, anxiety and panic attacks
  legal counseling on medical malpractice
  patients’ rights
• Psychotherapy: We follow a women specific supportive approach taking into consideration women’s conditions and situations such as low income, experiences of violence, risks and challenges of multiple roles (work, family, studying), single parent
• Escorting to outpatient departments and physicians
• Presentations  and courses
• Independent, patient oriented and evidence-based information: brochures, library, statements, website and awareness campaigns
• Workshops for women and girls on issues such as sexuality, beauty ideals and eating disorders, pregnancy, contraception, menopause and more.
• Referrals
• Health information
• Library and resource center

FOR MULTIPLIERS

• Expertise, information and services concerning women’s health issues
• Trainings and workshops for multipliers, women and men, in the fields of eating disorders, sex education for girls, health consequences of violence, health literacy and health competency and more.

FOR ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS

• Health promoting projects e.g.: MIA – Mothers In Action, participatory health promotion for pregnant women and young mothers in the Styrian rural communities of Leibnitz and Liezen
  Health Literacy and Competency Training (Knowledge makes you strong and healthy), competency training for patients, men and women living with chronic conditions, counselors and consumers of health care
  Girls’ Health in Styria promoting cooperation between actors of youth-work and encouraging the development of services for girls
• Advocacy: The Women’s Health Center advocates the interests of women and girls in cooperation with health professionals, providers and stakeholders. We lobby for women oriented health structures through networking as well as actively participating in work groups, cooperations and decision-making bodies. The Women’s Health Center heads the Advisory Board for Women’s Health of the Styrian Health Platform.
• Networking and cooperation: We partner with local community agencies, provincial initiatives and national organizations. We seek cooperation with women’s health practitioners, women’s groups, health professionals, researchers, community members, policy makers and health authorities.
• Public relations and outreach
  The Women’s Health Center has PR staff and promotes its vision and issues in the media and by community outreach.

Link to the German site|