Women's Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma

I feel confident that I can speak for a large portion of women; we are tired! Most women are simply burnt out! And some are simply afraid to talk about it, but it’s time to break the silence. Women's mental health is a complex and often overlooked issue. Despite the fact that women are more likely to experience mental health problems than men, they are less likely to seek help. This is due to a number of factors, including stigma, lack of awareness, and access to care.

One of the biggest barriers to women seeking help for mental health problems is stigma. Stigma is the negative attitudes and beliefs that people have about mental illness. It can lead to shame, isolation, and discrimination.

Coming from a strong and religious family, it was frowned upon to need help outside of the church. I found myself in and out of therapy numerous times because I was afraid that I would be viewed differently. It wasn’t until I made the decision for myself to heal and grow that things began to click for me. 

Another barrier to women seeking help is lack of awareness. Many women are simply not aware of the symptoms of mental health problems or how to get help. This is especially true for women from marginalized communities, who may not have access to the same information and resources as others. Depression and other mental health disorders may look different. There isn't one size fits all.

Even when women are aware of the symptoms of mental health problems and want to get help, they may face barriers to care. These barriers can include cost, lack of insurance, and transportation issues.

Therapy and medication cost! I have personally experienced the burden and benefits that therapy can bring. Even with insurance, it's a bill that some simply can’t afford.

The first step to improving women's mental health is to break the stigma! We need to educate ourselves and others about mental illness and its impact on women. We also need to challenge the negative attitudes and beliefs that surround mental health. Times are different, we shouldn’t be afraid to speak up. It doesn’t make us bad people if we’re not feeling well mentally.

Finally, we need to improve access to care for women with mental health problems. This means making sure that women have access to affordable, quality mental health care. It also means addressing the transportation and other barriers that women face when trying to get help. For people that don’t live in a major city, it could take them at least 30 minutes to get to a healthcare provider and if they don’t have a means of transportation, that makes it even harder. 

As women, the expectations of us are so high leading to stress. We want to work, be a good mother, wife, or partner, and it feels impossible. Did you hear the iconic Barbie movie speech? If not, you gotta watch it. It's real and hard to show up just as we are without the fear of judgment. 

Women's mental health is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. By breaking the stigma, raising awareness, and improving access to care, we can help women get the help they need to live happy, healthy lives.

Happy Mental Health Month 2023

As a black woman that has struggled with her mental health for years, I must celebrate mental health month! We are expected to be strong and have it all together, but not all of us do.

It’s time to change the narrative; mental health is health care. I remember thinking that I was less than for experiencing episodes of depression or being crippled with anxiety. Still, I needed to find ways to manage these things through therapy and medication.

I wanted to take the time to highlight the article below by Mental Health America. This organization is committed to promoting mental health as a critical part of a person’s overall well-being.

Look Around, Look Within: Your surroundings say a lot about your mental health!

Take a moment to consider your surroundings. Do you feel safe? Do you have access to health care and grocery stores? Does your home support you, both physically and mentally?

This Mental Health Month, challenge yourself to look at your world and how different factors can affect your mental health.

 Where a person is born, lives, learns, works, plays, and gathers, as well as their economic stability and social connections, are part of what is called “social determinants of health” (SDOH). The more these factors work in your favor means you are more likely to have better mental well-being. However, when it seems like the world is working against you, your mental health can suffer. While many parts of your environment can be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being.

• Work toward securing safe and stable housing: This can be challenging due to finances, age, and other reasons, but there are a few things you can try, such as reaching out to state/local agencies to secure housing, removing safety hazards in the home, or finding another space (such as a community center or friend’s home) where you can get the comfort you are missing at home.

• Focus on your home: Consider keeping your space tidy, sleep-friendly, and well-ventilated. Surround yourself with items that help you feel calm and positive.

• Create bonds with your neighborhood and community: Get to know the people living around you, join or start neighborshelping-neighbors groups, and support local businesses to challenge gentrification.

 • Connect with nature: Hike in a forest, sit in a city park, bring a plant inside, or keep the shades open to absorb natural light.

If you’re taking steps to improve your surroundings but are still struggling with your mental health, you may be experiencing signs of a mental health condition. Take a free, private screening at mhascreening.org to help you figure out what is going on and determine the next steps. The world around us can be both positive and negative – bringing joy and sadness, hope and anxiety. Learn more with Mental Health America’s 2023 Mental Health Month toolkit, which provides free, practical resources, such as how an individual’s environment impacts their mental health, suggestions for making changes to improve and maintain mental well-being, and how to seek help for mental health challenges. Go to mhanational.org/may to learn more.