Why We Need To Pay Attention to Women’s Mental Health

Over the past few years, we’ve all become a bit more comfortable talking about mental health.  The COVID-19 pandemic brought widespread attention to the importance of mental health as many of us started feeling the effects of isolation, uncertainty, and grief. It became more normal and necessary to talk about how we were doing and we saw how important mental health care is.

However, there’s one part of the conversation that doesn’t get enough attention: women’s mental health. Mental health struggles can affect everyone but women can face unique challenges that are shaped by biology, societal and cultural expectations, caregiving roles, emotional labor, gender-based violence and trauma, stigma, and dismissal. Sadly, despite there being more open dialogue, many women continue to suffer in silence.

The Gendered Nature of Mental Health

Women are more statistically likely to experience depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and certain phobias.  This isn’t coincidental. These issues arise from a mix of hormonal, psychological, and social factors.

For example, hormonal fluctuations - from periods to pregnancy to postpartum to menopause - can seriously affect mood and overall well-being. Yet, instead of getting the support and help that they need, many women are told things like “it’s not that bad”, “tough it out”, “it’s in your head”, or “you’re being too sensitive”. Being dismissed like this makes it even more difficult for women to reach out for help.

Women also face higher risks of living in poverty, facing workplace discrimination, and experiencing domestic abuse - all of which directly impact women’s mental health. Add on significant caregiving responsibilities (often without breaks), experiencing gender-based violence (including abuse and harassment), and the pressure to “do it all” without breaking, it’s no wonder so many women feel inadequate, overwhelmed, burned out, and completely exhausted.

The Pressure To Be Everything To Everyone

Society places so much pressure on women to fulfill multiple and often conflicting roles: the patient mother, the supportive partner, the ambitious career professional, the primary caregiver, the flawless homemaker, and more. While doing some of these things can bring joy, pride, and a sense of fulfillment, the expectation to do all these things perfectly can feel crushing. When women fall short of these impossible standards, it can lead to self-criticism, shame, and a sense of failure and inadequacy.

Why So Many Women Suffer In Silence

Despite everything that women are juggling, there’s still a tendency for society to discourage women from speaking truthfully and openly about how they’re really doing. Women who do open up about their struggles and ask for help are often labeled as being “too sensitive” or “dramatic” which can make it even harder to get the help that they need. This issue can be even more serious in marginalized communities where talking about mental health is still taboo.

Even in healthcare settings, women’s concerns are often downplayed, misinterpreted, and misunderstood. Many women are misdiagnosed and their physical symptoms are sometimes mistaken for purely emotional issues. This kind of invalidation can cause delays in receiving proper care for both medical issues and mental health conditions and only adds to the emotional burden that many women already carry in their everyday lives.

No One-Size-Fits-All Experience

It’s also important to remember that not all women face the same struggles. Race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexuality and gender identity, disability, age, immigration status, religion and spirituality all intersect with gender to create different experiences.

Some women face multiple layers of discrimination or trauma that can make accessing care even harder. In order to really support women’s mental health, we have to recognize and honor these differences and realize that one approach does not fit all.

The Healing Power of Women’s Support Groups

One of the most healing spaces for women is in women’s support groups. These groups aren’t just a place for women to vent, they create a community in which women feel connected and understood. Women discover that they’re not alone in their struggles and might find comfort in hearing other women’s stories and experiences. Sometimes being heard without judgment or being dismissed can make all the difference.

Women’s support groups also help build self-confidence, teach healthy coping skills, and create a sense of community. They can remind women of their strength and offer a safe space for women to process the ups and downs of life.

You’re Not Alone

Women are carrying a lot emotionally, physically, and mentally and too often they are doing it alone or without much support. Prioritizing women’s mental health isn’t just a nice idea - it’s essential!

If you or someone else you care about needs a space to talk, connect, feel seen, consider joining a women’s support group. We all deserve to be heard, to heal, and to feel a little less alone.

How We Can Help

Our Women’s Support Groups at Catalyss Counseling offer a compassionate, judgment-free space to connect with others, share your story, and begin your path to healing. Reach out today to schedule a free 20-minute consultation—your mental health matters, and we’re here for you.

Author Biography

Pansy Ayala is a licensed therapist with Catalyss Counseling and specializes in treating adults with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and relationship issues. She uses a holistic, individualized approach to better understand who you are, what areas of your life you find problematic, and how you can reach your goals. She especially enjoys working with parents. Follow Catalyss Counseling on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

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Here at Catalyss Counseling, we want to meet all of your counseling needs in the Denver area. Our supportive therapists provide depression counseling, therapy for caregiver stress, grief and loss therapy, stress management counseling, and more. We also have specialists in trauma and PTSD, women's issues, pregnancy and postpartum depression or anxiety, pregnancy loss and miscarriage, and birth trauma. For therapists, we can also provide clinical supervision! We look forward to connecting with you to help support your journey today.