There has been a lot of upheaval in the country recently regarding women and women’s rights. While we as a company and community will always take a stand to defend the rights of all over the beliefs of some (just like principles before personalities), we understand these are very sensitive topics. So in the theme of Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s talk about women’s mental health…
Women’s Mental Health Statistics:
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Did you know that although men are more likely to die by suicide that it is reported that women attempt suicide twice as often?
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Depression is reported twice as common for women than men.
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Women are twice as likely as men to experience generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder.
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1 in 5 women in the United States experienced a mental health condition in the past year.
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1 in 6 women suffer rape or attempted rape in their lifetime, which leads to an increased risk for developing depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use disorder, and eating disorders.
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Socioeconomic factors that increase gender inequality have a direct effect on the rate of common mental disorders in women and put them at risk:
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Did you know that 1 in 3 women have experienced sexual or physical violence in their lifetime?
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Women who are full-time workers earn about ¼ less than their male counterparts.
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The poverty rate for women is higher than for men.
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Female caregivers may spend as much as 50% more time providing care than male caregivers.
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These are the facts. There are of course, gender biases that we will discuss next time regarding men. However, it’s important to take a look at these differences. Women and men are both affected differently by mental illness and mental health issues and can present different symptoms. There are obviously many factors that contribute to this, but the World Health Organization discusses that gender discrimination, pressures created by their multiple roles, domestic violence and sexual abuse all contribute to women’s poor mental health and that severe life events can predict depression in women.
How can we help? Of course, we cannot solve all problems. But at Resilience, we always like to take action and be solution-based. So how can we help in our personal relationships and in our communities? Be allies of women. Believe women. Encourage the women in your life to take care of their mental health. Do not shame women. Do not victim blame. Take equal share in child-rearing and home responsibilities. Pay the women in your business an equal rate to the men. Donate to organizations that support women. Give women the praise and respect they deserve.
Sincerely,
Your woman at Resilience, Stephanie Martinez
