WOMEN MENTAL HEALTH
Mental illness is associated with a significant burden of morbidity and disability. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders is increasing at an alarming rate. Despite being very common the mental illnesses are being under diagnosed and under reported. Less than half of those who meet the diagnostic criteria are diagnosed by doctors. The general population is very reluctant to seek help too, stigma being the biggest hurdle especially in the third world countries, like ours.
Gender is a critical determinant of mental health and mental illness.
WHY ARE WOMEN ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS?
It is essential that women look after their mental health although busy lifestyles often make this difficult.
More women than men are the main caregiver for their children and they may care for other dependent relatives too. Intensive caring can affect emotional health, physical health, social activities and finances. Women are 10 times more involved in household chores and elderly care then men in Pakistan.
Women often juggle multiple roles they may be mothers, partners and caregivers as well as doing paid work and running a household
Women are over represented in low income, low status jobs often part-time and are more likely to live in poverty than men. Majority of the women are financially dependent on men and hence more vulnerable to the injustice ,violence and inequality in their rights.
Working mainly in the home on housework and concerns about personal safety can make women particularly isolated.
Physical and sexual abuse of girls and women can have a long-term impact on their mental health, especially if no support has been received around past abuses. Domestic violence and divorce considered to be a taboo makes women more vulnerable psychologically.
Mental health problems affecting more women than men
Some women find it hard to talk about difficult feelings and ‘internalize’ them, which can lead to problems such as depression and eating disorders.
Less literacy rate is also an important factor.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES WOMEN EXPERIENCE IN OUR SOCIETY?
Gender is one of the organizing principles of Pakistani society. Patriarchal values embedded in local traditions and culture predetermine the social value of gender. An artificial divide between production and reproduction, has placed women in reproductive roles as mothers and wives in the private arena of home and men in a productive role as breadwinners in the public arena. This has led to a low level of resource investment in women by the family and the State. Thus, low investment in women, compounded by the negative social biases, and cultural practices; the concept of honor linked with women’s sexuality; restrictions on women’s mobility; and the internalization of Patriarchy by women themselves, becomes, the basis for gender discrimination and disparities in all spheres of life.
Women are less educated. Women with requisite educational qualification also find the employers don’t have the ability to address the needs of their women employees. This partly explains the phenomenon of highly educated women for example doctors opting out of careers they are qualified for. Their degrees or their qualifications are often seen as an asset in terms of improving their marriage prospects rather than contributing to society at large .The conflict of their passion and their responsibilities males them more vulnerable to mental health issues.
HOW WOMEN CAN MAINTAIN POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH?
- Keep going with a positive attitude to yourself and to your responsibilities.
- It is important to be a good mother, a good wife and a daughter but at the same time never forget that u do exist as an independent human being. It’s ok to take some time for your own self.
- Work your strengths.
- Do something you’re good at to build self-confidence, then tackle a tougher task.
- Strive for financial independence, be it a job or some home based earning.
- Think of something in your life you want to improve, and figure out what you can do to take a step in the right direction.
- Close, quality, relationships are key for a happy, healthy life.
- Trying to be optimistic doesn’t mean ignoring the uglier sides of life. It just means focusing on the positive as much as possible.
- Hang out with a funny friend, watch a comedy or check out cute videos online. Laughter helps reduce anxiety.
- Practice forgiveness, People who forgive have better mental health and report being more satisfied with their lives.
- Do something with friends and family – have a cookout, go to a park, or play a game. People are 12 times more likely to feel happy on days that they spend 6-7 hours with friends and family. “
- Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” -Albert Einstein. Try something outside of your comfort zone to make room for adventure and excitement in your life.