Women’s mental health needs are significantly different from those of men
INFORMATION DEVELOPED FOR ACT WOMEN
Women’s Health Matters has developed the following information resources for ACT women.
Women’s mental health needs are significantly different from those of men
Good mental health is intrinsically linked to overall wellbeing. While good mental health and wellbeing is important for everyone, using a gendered lens recognises that compared to men, women play different roles in society and their mental health needs are significantly different from those of men.
Certain mental health issues are more prevalent in women, they use mental health services more frequently than men, and they are more likely than men to suffer coexisting mental and physical illness.
Our research shows:
Women’s mental health is multifactorial and can be determined by the interaction of physical, reproductive, and biological factors. This includes experiencing mental health issues at times of hormonal change (such as perinatal depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and perimenopause-related depression) or after experiences of stress and trauma (such as borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder).
In Australia, more women than men are affected by depression and anxiety. While these can affect women at any time in their life, there is an increased chance during pregnancy and the year following the birth of a baby, and menopause can also influence a woman’s mental health. Women also experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders at higher rates than men.
Women who have experienced physical or sexual violence are more likely to have depression and anxiety, misuse drugs and alcohol, have suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide and have post-traumatic stress disorder.
The prevalence, risk factors and experience of poor mental health among women and girls are different from those among men and boys; this means women and girls have different mental health needs, yet there are very few women-specific mental health programs and services available.
Since 2007 we have facilitated the Women and Mental Health Working Group (WMHWG), a group which brings together women with lived experience, services providers and carers to discuss issues affecting the mental health of local women.
We conducted ground-breaking research into the lived experiences of women with borderline personality disorder (BPD) in the ACT and the needs of service providers who worked with them, a major outcome of which was a dedicated BPD website developed by Women’s Health Matters. This was the first research of its kind into BPD undertaken in the ACT and was initiated through our work with WMHWG and was a great example of collaborating to create change.
The voices of women are essential to the conversation around appropriate delivery of mental health services, voices such as the one in the story from a local Canberra woman, Making Assumptions – Medical Care and Mental Illness. Women’s Health Matters will continue to seek out these voices, and also those of local service providers, to better understand and identify solutions for the issues and service gaps impacting women’s mental health in the ACT and surrounding region.
A women’s story: Making Assumptions – Medical Care and Mental Illness
Submission to National Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Practice Framework (April 2012) Read more »Close »
Submission to National Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Practice Framework (April 2012)
Submission to National Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Practice Framework (April 2012)
Submission to 10 Year Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform (January 2012) Read more »Close »
Submission to 10 Year Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform (January 2012)
Submission to 10 Year Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform (January 2012)
Submission to the Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit Model of Care (November 2011) Read more »Close »
Submission to the Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit Model of Care (November 2011)
Submission to the Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit Model of Care (November 2011)
Submission to the Flexible Care Packages for People with Severe Mental Illness (February 2011) Read more »Close »
Submission to the Flexible Care Packages for People with Severe Mental Illness (February 2011)
Submission to the Flexible Care Packages for People with Severe Mental Illness (February 2011)
Women’s Health Matters and ACT Women and Mental Health Working Group submission to National Carer Strategy Discussion Paper (December 2010) Read more »Close »