Certain aspects of biological, environmental, and social challenges may put women at a higher risk of developing mental health concerns. Research has shown however that many of these challenges may in part be due to gender stereotypes and assumptions rather than structural or physiological differences. There’s no doubt though that women’s bodies and the way they are treated in society play a role overall. Many women facing Women’s Issues have often been labelled and stigmatized as being over-emotional, which through the years has lead to devaluing their questions and concerns about their mental and physical health. Women have often been told that heavy painful menses are normal, or that pregnancy or childbirth should be something that comes naturally to most. From this, women often view themselves differently or feel the need to hide their emotions and are placed in a vulnerable position about their overall health.
How do these issues affect mental health in women?
For centuries women have been faced with issues of inequality and discrimination. Unfortunately, even today, many women continue to face the same challenges. A woman experiencing painful menses may be criticized for needing to take time off work or school. She may have endometriosis, yet feel undervalued by her medical team, who dismiss her symptoms as something women need to just deal with. Often, these women are put on medication like birth control that may not be treating the issues and instead leads to side effects like weight gain and depression. Some women may need to terminate a pregnancy for various reasons and feel guilt that no one can understand. Others who welcome children go on to face postpartum depression and challenges with motherhood that cause them to view life in a negative manner and affect their day-to-day lives and ability to cope.
Social media also puts a large pressure on young women to look and act a certain way. The influx of edited images creates a false perception of what a woman’s body should look like. Even mothers who view other women and their families on social media may try to relate to a certain standard, not realizing the reality behind the images they view.
It’s fair to say that a number of issues can occur in a woman’s life from adolescence well into adulthood that affects their overall physical and mental health.
How can counselling help?
Recognizing that something doesn’t feel right is often the first step toward improving mental health. Building trust and feeling safe with a therapist can help you work through concerns with support and understanding. Therapy also helps individuals gain confidence, self-awareness, and the tools needed to continue their healing journey.
One-on-one counselling is a great option for those who need to talk to someone about their past and present concerns. Therapists often use various techniques, like CBT, to help one identify how their beliefs, emotions, and actions are all related. They can also help provide resources for women who need to find safe spaces or additional support going forward.
If you think you would benefit from counselling, book a free consultation today to start your journey into feeling like your best self again.
References
American Psychiatric Association. Mental Health Disparities: Women’s Mental Health. Richards, M. MD et al. 2017. psychiatry.org
WHO. Women and mental health issues. September 20202. https://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/genderwomen/en/.
