How Mental Health Affects Women
Mental health is an important aspect of our well-being that influences how we think, feel, and act. It also affects our ability to cope with stress, relate to others, and make decisions. Mental health is not just the absence of mental disorders, but a state of balance and harmony between our physical, emotional, and social needs.
However, mental health is not the same for everyone. Women and men can experience different types of mental health problems, as well as different causes and consequences. In this blog post, we will explore some of the factors that affect women’s mental health, and some of the ways to support and improve it.
Factors That Affect Women’s Mental Health
There are many factors that can influence women’s mental health, such as biological, psychological, social, and environmental ones. Some of these factors are:
- Hormonal changes: Women go through various stages of hormonal changes throughout their lives, such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, menopause, and aging. These changes can affect their mood, energy, appetite, sleep, and cognition. For some women, these changes can trigger or worsen mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or mood disorders. For example, some women experience perinatal depression during or after pregnancy, which can affect their bonding with their baby and their ability to care for themselves and their family. Other women experience menopause-related depression during the transition to menopause, which can affect their self-esteem and quality of life.
- Gender roles and expectations: Women often face multiple roles and responsibilities in their personal and professional lives, such as being a mother, a partner, a daughter, a caregiver, a worker, a student, etc. These roles can bring joy and fulfillment, but also stress and pressure. Women may feel that they have to balance everything perfectly and meet the expectations of others and themselves. They may also face discrimination or harassment in their workplaces or communities because of their gender. These factors can affect their mental health by causing stress, anxiety, burnout, low self-esteem, or guilt.
- Socioeconomic factors: Women are more likely than men to live in poverty, experience food insecurity, lack access to education or health care, or be exposed to violence or abuse. These factors can affect their mental health by increasing their risk of developing mental disorders or reducing their access to treatment and support. For example, women who experience domestic violence or sexual assault may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders. Women who live in low-income or marginalized communities may face barriers to accessing mental health services or resources.
- COVID-19 pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on women’s mental health around the world. The pandemic has increased the burden of unpaid care work for women who have to take care of children, elderly relatives, or sick family members at home. It has also increased the risk of losing income or employment for women who work in informal or precarious sectors. Moreover, it has increased the exposure to domestic violence or abuse for women who are isolated or confined with their abusers. The pandemic has also disrupted the access to essential health services for women who need reproductive or mental health care. All these factors have contributed to increasing the levels of stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and despair among women.
Ways to Support and Improve Women’s Mental Health
Women’s mental health is not only a personal issue but a public health priority. Improving women’s mental health can benefit not only themselves but also their families and communities. There are many ways to support and improve women’s mental health at different levels:
- At the individual level: Women can take care of their mental health by practicing self-care activities that promote their physical and emotional well-being. These activities can include eating a balanced diet,
exercising regularly,
getting enough sleep,
relaxing,
meditating,
journaling,
expressing gratitude,
seeking help from friends,
family,
or professionals when needed.
- At the community level: Women can support each other by creating networks of solidarity and mutual aid among women who share similar experiences or challenges. These networks can provide emotional,
practical,
or financial support,
as well as information,
resources,
or referrals to other services.
Women can also participate in community activities that foster social inclusion,
empowerment,
and advocacy for women’s rights and needs.
- At the societal level: Women can advocate for policies and programs that address the root causes of women’s mental health problems and ensure equal access to quality mental health care for all women. These policies and programs can include gender-sensitive education,
health care,
social protection,
employment,
and justice systems;
prevention and response to violence against women;
promotion of women’s leadership and participation in decision-making;
and recognition and support of women’s unpaid care work.
Sources of Help
If you are a woman who is struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. There are many sources of help available for you, such as:
- Your primary care provider: Your primary care provider can assess your mental health, prescribe medication if needed, and refer you to other mental health professionals or services.
- A mental health professional: A mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, or therapist, can provide you with psychotherapy or counseling, which is a type of talking therapy that can help you understand and cope with your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- A peer support group: A peer support group is a group of people who have similar experiences or challenges and who meet regularly to share their stories, offer support, and learn from each other. You can find peer support groups online or in your community through organizations such as NAMI , Mental Health America , or DBSA .
- A crisis line or text service: A crisis line or text service is a confidential and free service that you can call or text anytime you need immediate emotional support or are in a crisis. You can talk to a trained volunteer or counselor who can listen to you, offer you guidance, and connect you with other resources. Some examples of crisis lines or text services are the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255), the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741), or the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP).
References
- NIMH » Women and Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/women-and-mental-health
- Women and mental health | Mental Health Foundation. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/women-and-mental-health
- Perspectives on Global Women’s Mental Health – Psychiatric Times. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/perspectives-on-global-womens-mental-health
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Women’s Mental Health – Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/pandemic-takes-a-toll-on-women-s-mental-health-5115384
