Breaking Stigmas and Prioritizing Wellness: Women’s Mental Health in the United States
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|
March is Women’s History Month in the United States, a time to celebrate the contributions of women throughout history and recognize the ongoing struggle for gender equality. This month also provides an opportunity to shed light on an issue that disproportionately affects women: mental health. Women in the US face different challenges that can affect their mental wellbeing, such as gender discrimination, sexual harassment and unequal access to healthcare.
This year, the National Women’s History Theme is “celebrating women who tell our stories [1] ”. Therefore, part of the story is to know the state of the mental health of women in United State. According to the American Psychiatric Association [2] , “each year, 1 in 5 women in the United States has a mental health problem such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or an eating disorder. Although women and men have similar rates of mental health problems, the types of mental health conditions may differ.” Research also provides us information that is more precise:
- Depression: This is the most common problem in women. Approximately, 1 in 9 women 18 and older have had at least one major depressive episode.
- PTSD: Compared with men, women are twice as likely to experience PTSD. Women are more likely to have hypervigilance, feel depressed, and have trouble feeling emotions.
- Anxiety: Women are twice as likely as men to experience generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder.
- Suicide: Women attempt suicide more often than men; however, men are four times more likely to die by suicide.
- Eating disorders: Approximately 85% – 95% of people with anorexia nervosa or bulimia and 65% of people with binge eating disorder are women.
- Alcohol use: women are less likely to experience alcohol use disorder than men.
On the other hand, the National Institute of Mental Health [3] (NIH [4] ) gives us some warning signs that women can develop most of the same mental disorders and conditions: Persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness, misuse of alcohol and/or drugs, dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits, appetite and/or weight changes, decreased energy or fatigue, excessive fear or worry, etc.
That is why we recommend to you some habits to improve mental health in women [5] :
- Exercise regularly
- Practice mindfulness (living in the moment)
- Get eight hour of sleep each night
- Express gratitude for things and people in your life
- Say positive things about yourself and others
- Make new friends and connections
- Participate in activities
In recognition of Women’s History Month in the United States, it is important to emphasize the significance of prioritizing women’s mental health. The mental wellbeing of women is crucial for their overall health and the prosperity of society as a whole. That is why we invite you to support Neighbors’ Consejo [6] , because with your donation [7] , you can help support hundreds of the most needy women in Washington D.C.
[1]https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/2023-theme/
[2]https://www.google.com/search?q=mental+health+women+in+usa&rlz=1C1OKWM_enUS1040US1040&oq=MENTAL+HEALTH+WOM&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j69i59j0i512l7j0i390.4216j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
[3]https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/women-and-mental-health
[4]https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/women-and-mental-health
[5]https://www.womenscareobgyn.com/health-library/habits-to-improve-mental-health-for-women
[7]https://neighborsconsejo.networkforgood.com/projects/83967-help-our-neighbors