For a long time, people have cared for their health and made sure they look fit and fine. But while being busy giving importance to our outer health, did we pay enough attention to our mental health? Women's mental health issues have persisted since the beginning. Pretending to be happy or even sane is wrecking many women, leading them to have serious depression and anxiety issues.
People have become quite aware of safeguarding and maintaining their mental health. It is high time to understand the importance of women’s mental health, as it is painful to go through a war with oneself without letting anyone know. We will cover all the important aspects of women's mental health and sum it up with a few tips to help you feel better internally, but first, let's see some eye-opening statistics.
Gender Mental Health Statistics
Before getting into the topic of female mental health disorders and their nuances, firstly, let us see some statistics on women's mental health issues, which will prove how bad the situation of women's mental health has become.
- Almost 25.7 percent of women and 9.7 percent of men aged 16 and 24 have accepted that they self-harm.
- The report presented by the mental health foundations shows that women are much more likely to face common mental health problems when compared to men.
- Likewise, women are three times more likely to face eating disorders that will have a terrible impact on the body in comparison to men.
- Young women are again three times more probable to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder when compared with men due to facing violence.
Factors Affecting Women's Mental Health
The statistics look a little skewed, right? Women are having much more mental issues than men. It is a known fact that both the sex that is, male and female, react to their mental health situation differently. But as we all know, we still sadly live in a patriarchal society. We are not playing any victim card here, and we, by all means, accept that men do have concerning mental problems. Women have been pressured and suppressed since the beginning of time, which is why they suffer, but several other factors affect women's mental health.
- Society expects women to look pretty and appealing, thin but curvy in the right places. Setting a body image for women to appeal to men or others has led to tremendous eating issues in women.
- Women's mental health issues have worsened over time as many of them are subjected to sexual abuse from their spouses, family, and work colleagues. The statistics say that almost 53% of women have reported abuse.
- Poverty is also one of the reasons why women face mental health issues. The study states that 29% of women who are in poverty have more mental illness. While compared to men, the female section gets fewer jobs and is less likely to get promoted.
Difference between Women and Men Health Issues
We have discussed that men and women both suffer from mental issues, but what is the reason for reacting differently to mental issues? The distinction is important in understanding women's mental health awareness.
Hormones
Females experience a lot of hormonal fluctuations, which play a major role in depression and mood shifting. Serotonin (a mood stabilizer) is produced less in women, and they synthesize it more slowly than men. Having different biologies is one of the reasons why women and men have different issues. Women's genetic makeup is also a leading cause of developing neurological women's mental health issues like Alzheimer's.
Varying Behavior
Women are more likely to report their problems which can be one of the reasons why the statistics show such differences. There are multiple blogs on the importance of women’s mental health compared to men's. This is because men think they must be 'strong' and don't seek aid to avoid looking weak. We cannot blame them as society works cruelly to make mental issues look unwanted and unnecessary; in other words, 'it's all in your head.' However, women are also less likely to report a sexual assault because they fear society questioning their morality.
Socio-cultural Situation
Women are rightly fighting for gender equality. There is a huge wave of feminism that has managed to help women get some help, but some major changes still need to occur. Women face discrimination in socioeconomic power, position, and status issues, which contribute to disorders and depression. Not getting what is ours rightfully can be heart-crushing. Women are responsible for caring for the child, while some men have dusted all the responsibilities off their hands by contributing their sperm. Handling kids plus housework with a job and other activities is enough to drive a person into developing serious women's mental health issues.
Strategies on How to Deal with Women's Mental Health Issues
We all have become quite advanced when it comes to technology. There are talks about shifting to other planets in the internet world. But are we really advancing when some people are discussing whether mental health awareness is important or not?
Acknowledging that keeping our mental health healthy and thriving is also important to live a satisfying life. But going to a therapist can be quite heavy on the pockets, and it can be a big step for many. If you are looking for other alternatives, here are some cost-friendly ways to deal with women's mental health issues.
- Talk to people about it, and don't expect or wait for them to guess your mental health situation. Your friends have their own life, which is why they can overlook signs that may show you are suffering from mental issues. Tell them about your problems clearly because it is always better to have strong support when dealing with something difficult.
- Exercising has been shown to reduce the sign of mental illness symptoms. Every day, engage in a cardio workout like jogging to improve your health and mood.
- Take action about the things that are concerning. We are not suggesting you jump on impulsive decisions. For instance, if your job is disturbing you, plan how to get another job you like before leaving the current one. This will help you have strong control over your life without feeling helpless.
- Adopt a furry little friend. Yes, it is proven that pets can help boost your mood and make you worry less. Adopting cats is the best choice if you want something low maintenance, as they are quite independent and need less attention.
Conclusion
Our health is in our own hands, so seeking help and taking action is important if you have noticed women's mental health issues. Numerous helplines are available 24/ 7 to listen to those suffering from abuse, depression, and other mental health issues. Do not hesitate to take help as well; all need assistance. We hope this blog helped you understand how men and women are different regarding mental issues. If you want to read similar blogs which will be an eye-opener about various topics like feminism, health, beauty, entertainment, and others, then check out the Voice of Woman.
