About one of every four women in the U.S. experienced a mental health issue (defined as a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder) in the past year, according to 2022 U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) data. While substance use disorders and impulse control disorders are diagnosed more often in men, many mental health disorders are diagnosed more often in women. They include depression, anxiety and eating disorders, according to the National Institute for Health. Researchers point to several social, economic and biological factors that could account for these discrepancies, including:
- Wage gaps. While substantial gains have been made over the past four decades, women continue to earn less money than their male counterparts over the course of their respective careers, according to the Pew Research Center. The wage gap grows more pronounced as women age.
- Traumatic experiences. Roughly one-third of women experience sexual and physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime, according to SAMHSA data cited by the American Psychiatric Association.
- Time. The APA also notes women are more likely to be either the sole caregiver or the primary caregiver of children. About 65% of caregivers are women, and female caregivers may spend twice as much time providing care for children as male caregivers do. Coupled with other constraints due to work and family commitments, lack of personal time can be both a cause of mental health issues and a barrier to receiving treatment.
- Hormonal differences. As the NIH points out, women can experience depression symptoms during times of hormone changes, including during or after pregnancy, around the time of their period and during the menopause transition.
Addressing our mental health is a lifelong pursuit, but it can too often take a backseat to other obligations. Of the estimated population of women experiencing a mental health issue in the past year, only about 57% received treatment, according to the 2022 SAMHSA data. (Only 42% of men sought treatment over that same period.) Our team at Brightli encourages you to celebrate the accomplishments of women in your life (including your own!), and to encourage women you love to take the time they deserve to prioritize their mental health.
Here are some ways SAMHSA suggests you can address mental health:
Do something you want to do, or do nothing at all.
Seven to nine hours is the recommended amount of nightly sleep for adults.
Commit to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic/physical activity per week.
With spring around the corner, it’s a reminder that time in the sunshine can be restorative.
Meditation, mindfulness, and prayer can all help recharge you mentally. For a set of short, effective mindfulness exercises, visit our Be Well Community’s resources page.
Whether speaking to a loved one or a professional, being open about your mental health can bring about healthy changes. For more on taking those steps, see our tips below:
Keep reaching out – According to a recent Pew Research survey, women are more likely than men to seek out assistance from a broad array of sources when in need of emotional support. Whether that is reaching out to a parent (mothers far more often than fathers), a friend, other family member, or a mental health professional, women reported reaching out at a higher rate than men nearly across all categories. About 74% of both men and women reported turning to their spouse or significant other when in need of emotional support.
There are benefits of making and strengthening connections. Recent research shows that having a social support network can help you build resilience during a stressful situation. The APA offers a number of tips to build up your support group, from getting actively involved in a club, class or volunteer group to seeking out a peer support group.
Know that treatment is designed with your needs in mind – Whether it is a clinic designed to address eating disorders or therapy groups centered on empowering women to address healthy choices and boundaries, there are opportunities tailored to research-based needs of women. That also includes treatment for disorders more commonly diagnosed in men, including substance use.
About 17.2 million women in the U.S. struggle with substance use disorder or mental illness, according to a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Roughly 9.5 million American women experience both an SUD and mental illness. Because of the frequent co-occurrences, “women in SUD treatment are more likely to benefit from a treatment environment that is supportive, safe, and nurturing,” states a recent SAMHSA advisory addressing the needs for treatment of substance use disorders. Adopting trauma-informed approaches and reducing barriers to receiving treatment — like providing childcare — are among the considerations the SAMHSA advisory promotes.
“You are not alone,” said Amanda Mays, director of a Brightli Recovery Services program, where a person-centered approach is central to treatment for all clients. “Balancing personal well-being and responsibilities like parenting, caregiving and so on without guilt is difficult, but prioritizing our own mental health leads to benefits far beyond ourselves. Finding a supportive network is most important in mental health journeys, parenting journeys and recovery journeys.”
Share your individual needs with your mental health care provider. Caring providers will work with you to develop plans that take your unique background and needs into account as they work to help you feel better.
