‘Liptember’ women’s mental health fundraiser inspires NQ woman

Townsville women are joining nationwide fundraising efforts for mental health by donning colourful lipstick. See why.

Collingwood AFLW player Brianna Davey (right) and Shimona Nilson (left) for Liptember outside the Holden entire, raising money for mental health. Picture Rebecca Michael.

Townsville’s women are donning bright coloured lipstick to raise money for Liptember, with funds used to support women’s mental health.

For Angela McCarthy, it took years of frustration for to pin down what was really going on inside her mind.

It wasn’t until she was an adult before she was diagnosed with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder in adulthood, a pivotal moment which gave her a better handle on mental health burdens.

“Once I got the correct diagnosis, we were able to treat my ADHD and ASD and that significantly helped alleviate and treat the symptoms of anxiety and depression.”

Townsville woman Angela McCarthy is fundraising for women's mental health this September, by wearing colourful lipstick as part of a national fundraiser. Picture: David Moyle

Tia Sears, also from Townsville, is taking part too. Picture: David Moyle

An increase in females being diagnosed with ADHD is in part because females with the condition present differently to males, Ms McCarthy said.

In her adolescence, Ms McCarthy’s mother suspected her daughter was neurodivergent, but did not feel comfortable raising it with a doctor.

Her health journey is part of the reason she’s joining women nationwide this month for Liptember; since 2010 people have been wearing colourful lipstick to spark conversations about women’s mental health.

The Liptember campaign is fundraising for mental health programs and initiatives, support services and research. Since 2010, $14 million has been raised.

In 2022, 21 per cent of females reported having an anxiety disorder within the prior 12 months, compared to 12 per cent of males, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Originally published as ‘Liptember’ women’s mental health fundraiser inspires NQ woman