Women’s Mental Health

Throughout history, women have juggled countless responsibilities but have been continuously undervalued and unappreciated. Women continue to endure endless stressors related to inequalities at home and in the workplace, social pressures, and socioeconomic factors.

Wellness vs Self Care

Women are constantly being told or sold the idea that various material products will inch them closer to well-ness. Products such as creams, candles, mattresses, or other “self-care” items are marketed to women as well-ness tools.

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“Not Good Enough”

While some products can be helpful, the message often is focused on fixing women; if you have this cream, your skin will look better; if you buy this bed, you will sleep better then life will improve.

The message is that your sleep, skin, and happiness could improve if only you put more time and money into making it better, aka it’s your responsibility and that you haven’t been doing your job.

However, wellness is not an object or product, but an internal state and one that has been inequitably tended to.

Lack of Mental Health Care

50% of women who report needing Behavioral and mental health care are NOT getting it

Despite self-reporting a need for mental health care, women are not receiving professional care. In a 2022 KFF Women’s Health Survey (WHS), women 18-64 reported needing mental health care. However, only 50% of those reported needing care acquired mental health care, 10% tried and failed, and 40% didn’t seek it out.

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The barriers are vast and varied

Women avoid or delay seeking help for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:

  • Associated costs and lack of access to providers
  • Negative attitudes, stigmas, or beliefs from partner/family/culture/religion about seeking professional help
  • Being perceived as weak, incompetent, and/or attention-seeking
  • The pressure to be grateful for what they have; “it’s not that bad”
  • The feeling that they should be able to “deal with it” on their own
  • Not having enough time due to home, job, or family responsibilities
  • Feeling guilty for taking time to do something for themselves
  • Depression, anxiety, prior trauma, and other mental health issues prevent them from taking the first step

Women need non-judgmental support, cultural sensitivity, equitable access, affordable care, and a place where their wellness needs are a priority.

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9 out of 10

kids surveyed wished their parents cared more about their emotional well-being

Group 24977
􀉪

50%

of kids surveyed believe they would benefit from counseling or other types of support, but cited parents’ attitudes as main barriers to getting help

28%

of women feel burned out

Lack of Emotional Wellness Support

Even Worse in and After The Pandemic

Women who experience socioeconomic stressors face additional high levels of anxiety and depression and the pandemic exacerbated those issues. “A study at the University of Chicago Medicine found U.S. women experienced an increased incidence of health-related socioeconomic risks (HRSRs), such as food insecurity and interpersonal violence, early in the COVID-19 pandemic. This was associated with “alarmingly high rates” of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.” 

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Societal Stigma
keeps women from obtaining professional help

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Additional Emotional Stressors

Women of all diversities experience additional emotional stressors, including racism, injustices, discrimination at work, and frequent microaggressions, which can contribute to depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, and other mental health issues. The lack of accessible treatment that is culturally sensitive and the stigma women face for receiving mental healthcare keep women from obtaining professional help.

As if the societal stigma surrounding mental illness and the difficulty of finding the right treatment weren’t enough of a barrier, Black women face additional challenges to getting support.

QUEST DEPOT
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Learn more about our innovated care reaching people around the world and explore the exciting new tool, Quest Depot, that is changing the way people experience mental healthcare.

Wellness begins with equitable access to qualified help--on your schedule.

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