For years, Loganholme author Therese Zuanetti faced some of her darkest moments alone.
Now she is inviting others into a room where they can feel heard.
She will launch her memoir, How Menopause F***ed Up My Life, at The Sporting Globe Loganholme on Thursday, October 22, from 11.30am to 1.30pm, hoping her story will help others find the support she once needed.
“The launch means more to me than me selling my books,” Ms Zuanetti said.
“It really means a lot to me.”
The free community event will invite donations for Beyond Blue and bring people together to discuss menopause, mental health and experiences endured by many, but too often endured in silence.
Ms Zuanetti said she hoped to continue supporting Beyond Blue through future events.
“Whenever I hold anything, any future functions or anything, I want to have them as the main people that money gets donated to,” she said.
For her, the purpose is very clear and quite simple: “People supporting people.”
“It’s not just about me. All I’m doing is opening a door,” she said.
Ms Zuanetti said writing about years of confusion, depression and loss became a step towards healing.
“I went through hell for a long time on my own without support. Without support at all. So that was the hardest part for me,” she said.
“I’m not going to lie and say it’s healed me completely, but literally just writing the book has helped me slowly heal.
“It’s bringing people together. It’s opening more doors. It’s making more people understand.”
She hopes those attending will feel comfortable sharing their experiences, with partners and families also gaining a better understanding of what someone close to them might be going through.
“I want other women to understand, you are not alone. You are not going crazy. You need to reach out,” she said.
That desire to connect people also drives her TikTok conversations, where she encourages others to speak about their lives and struggles.
Ms Zuanetti said her community involvement began at 16 and had included charity fundraising, church events and organising functions through the PCYC.
The Sporting Globe Loganholme is sponsoring the launch by providing the venue and catering.
“I’m sincerely grateful to the Sporting Globe,” Ms Zuanetti said.
“They’re supporting me by providing the venue, providing the catering and whatever I need on the day.
“I think that’s absolutely wonderful to have people like that supporting you with such a community event.”
Event Cinemas has also contributed movie passes for giveaways.
The afternoon will include time to mingle, a talk from Ms Zuanetti and speeches from Waterford MP Shannon Fentiman and federal Forde MP Rowan Holzberger.
“It means the world to me. You got no idea when I say thank you, I mean it from the bottom of my heart,” Ms Zuanetti said.
To reserve a place at the launch at The Sporting Globe, Logan Hyperdome, call or text Therese on 0410 365 055 by October 16, providing attendees’ names and numbers for catering.
