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International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the achievements of women, their resilience and strength. Yet beyond the festivities on the 8th of March every year, there's a need to address one of the most critical—and often overlooked—areas of women’s lives: mental health.
From the tender years of adolescence to the reflective periods of later life, women face unique mental health challenges that are deeply influenced by cultural narratives, societal expectations, hormonal changes and the multiple roles they embody.
This article delves into the complex details of mental wellness across life stages of women and ladies globally. We'll be exploring how society and other factors shape their experiences. We'll also highlight the importance of support systems.
Early Years and Adolescence
The journey toward mental wellness begins early in life. For many young girls, the formative years of adolescence are burdened with rapid physical changes, evolving identities, and an increasing awareness of who she is and who society expects her to be.
This stage is a critical period where the seeds of resilience—or vulnerability—are sown.
Navigating the Complexities of Adolescence
Adolescence is often a time of self-discovery. However, for many young women, it is also a period when societal pressures begin to take shape. The media, peer groups, and even family expectations contribute to a narrative that defines what it means to be “acceptable” or “successful.”
Girls are encouraged to achieve academically, maintain a particular body image, and often to be nurturing even when they are still figuring out their own identities. This multi-layered pressure can lead to heightened anxiety, self-esteem issues, and in some cases, depression.
During this time, mental health challenges might manifest in several ways:
Body Image Issues: Constant exposure to unrealistic beauty standards can create a distorted self-image, leading to eating disorders or chronic dissatisfaction.
The fashion and beauty industry, entertainment industry and even advertising industry often amplify these pressures.
It never really started with this motive. They simply promote narrow definitions of beauty — emphasizing thinness, flawless skin, hourglass shape and unattainable body proportions just to make things look good and ‘sell’.
Studies show that this relentless portrayal of "perfection" has depleted the self-esteem of young girls, especially those who live in marginalized communities who may not see themselves represented.
Social media further intensifies this cycle, with filters and editing tools blurring the line between reality and illusion.
Breaking free from this harmful narrative requires fostering body positivity, paying attention to promoting diverse representations of beauty, and encouraging self-acceptance.
Social Anxiety:
Many young girls struggle to fit in or measure up to peer expectations. This contributes to social isolation and a fear of judgment.
It is not surprising that adolescent girls have to deal with Social anxiety disorder. Adolescence is that time when they communicate more with their peers and not just their family members. They become independent, start observing the ways of life of others and comparing themselves.
The effect might be minor or intense. Psychologists say it can be as simple as worrying about what others think of them or as intense as feeling overwhelmed and struggling to function in social, school, or work settings.
Academic Stress:
The drive for academic excellence often clashes with the need for social and emotional development.
Excessive academic pressure can cause emotional changes in teenage girls and, over time, increase the risk of mental health issues like depression. When a girl faces overwhelming stress, she may develop harmful behaviors — in severe cases, this can lead to tragic actions like suicide or violence. These behaviors not only affect her well-being and development but also cause lasting harm to the society at large.
Reducing academic pressure is crucial, even though test scores still heavily influence school admissions, promotions, etc. This highlights the need for ongoing education reforms that support balanced development across moral, intellectual, physical, and emotional aspects.
Hormonal Changes
Research proves that hormonal changes in adolescents make them more susceptible to depression than normal. Estrogen—the hormone that drives puberty in girls—is a major culprit. This is why females generally suffer from mood swings and anxiety disorders up twice more than their male counterparts.
Mood swings, mental health issues, and a higher risk of psychotic episodes in females have all been connected to fluctuating hormone levels during the menstrual cycle and important periods of the reproductive cycle.
This is why women are about twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders, and they also experience higher rates of mood disorders. These differences are not just influenced by hormonal factors but also biological and social factors.
Building Early Support Systems to boost Women's Mental health
The key to fostering robust mental health in female adolescents lies in early intervention and open communication.
Parents, educators, and community leaders should play active roles in creating safe spaces where young girls can express their struggles by:
Educating them about the changes that come with puberty and foster an environment where they feel comfortable to discuss their feelings.
Supporting open conversations and offering resources for professional help.
Encouraging them to engage in activities that boost self-esteem, such as sports, arts, and volunteer work.
Introducing them to positive role models and mentors to nurture a healthy self-perception and confidence.
Promoting the use of counselling services and mental health resources.
These early interventions are not just about managing immediate challenges but also about laying a foundation for long-term mental well-being.
Young Adulthood: Carving Out Identity Amidst New Challenges
As girls transition from adolescence to young adulthood, the state of their mental health shifts dramatically. This new phase is marked by increased independence, the pursuit of higher education, the initiation of careers, and the formation of intimate relationships.
Each of these areas brings its own set of mental health challenges and opportunities for growth.
Education and the Quest for Identity
For many young women, higher education represents a pivotal period of self-discovery and empowerment. Yet, the academic world is not without its pressures.
The competitive environment can trigger feelings of inadequacy and imposter syndrome—the pervasive belief that one is not as capable as others perceive them to be. These internal battles can be worsened by external pressures to succeed, both academically and socially.
During this period, the challenge is not only to excel in studies but also to maintain a healthy balance between personal growth and external expectations. Universities and colleges have increasingly recognized the importance of mental health services, with many institutions now offering counseling and wellness programs to support their students.
Relationships and the Formation of Intimacy
Young adulthood is also the time when many women start to explore deeper, more intimate relationships.
Romantic partnerships, friendships, and even professional relationships can significantly impact mental health. While supportive relationships can be a source of strength, toxic or unbalanced relationships may lead to increased stress and emotional turmoil.
To build healthy relationships, a woman needs to be both self-aware and communicate effectively. Learning to set boundaries, understanding one’s emotional needs, and seeking partners who respect and value her individuality are critical steps in nurturing mental well-being.
This phase is also about recognizing the importance of self-care and the ability to ask for help when needed.
Stepping into the Professional World
Entering the workforce presents its own set of mental health challenges. Many women face the dual pressures of excelling professionally while contending with gender-based biases and workplace inequities.
The expectations to perform in male-dominated environments can lead to chronic stress and a persistent sense of inadequacy. Over time, these pressures can manifest as burnout, anxiety, and depression.
Supportive work environments that acknowledge and address these issues are essential. Initiatives such as mentoring programs, diversity and inclusion training, and employee wellness initiatives can make a significant difference in alleviating stress and promoting mental health among young professionals.
Navigating Career, Family, Motherhood, and Personal Wellness
For many women, the interplay between career and family is where the challenges—and rewards—of mental health are most visible.
Balancing the demands of a professional life with family responsibilities often means negotiating a "double shift" where the mental load of managing both spheres can lead to overwhelming stress.
The Double Burden of Work and Home
Women frequently find themselves navigating the complexities of dual responsibilities. Even as more women pursue successful careers, traditional expectations about caregiving and household management often persist. This “double burden” can lead to:
Chronic Stress:
Constantly juggling roles and trying to meet conflicting demands can wear down mental and physical resilience.
Guilt and Self-Doubt:
The societal pressure to be the “perfect” employee and parent simultaneously can create feelings of inadequacy when neither role is fulfilled to an unrealistic standard.
Burnout:
The relentless pursuit of excellence in every domain often leads to exhaustion, leaving little room for self-care or leisure.
Strategies for Achieving Balance
Achieving a healthy work-life balance is not about perfection but about finding strategies that allow for flexibility and self-compassion.
Here are some approaches that can help:
Setting Boundaries:
Clearly defining work and personal time can prevent one sphere from overwhelming the other.
Leveraging Support Networks:
Whether it’s through family, friends, or professional services like childcare and counseling, building a support system is vital.
Mindfulness and Self-Care:
Practices such as meditation, exercise, and creative pursuits can offer a reprieve from the demands of daily life.
Advocating for Change:
On a larger scale, pushing for workplace policies that support mental health—such as flexible work hours, parental leave, and mental health days—can create environments where women can thrive in both their careers and personal lives.
Postnatal Struggles
Postnatal depression (PND) is a serious mental health issue that many women face after giving birth. It can cause a variety of symptoms, such as low energy, anxiety, difficulty bonding with the baby, and persistent sadness.
Hormonal changes, the psychological adjustment to motherhood, and the physical and emotional strain of caring for a newborn are some of the causes of PND.
Signs to Look Out For:
Persistent sorrow or poor mood
Lack of interest in the infant or fear of harming the baby
Feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy
Strategies for managing PND
Connect with a local child and family health facility where a health expert can visit you or chat with you and screen for postnatal depression, and provide help.
Build a support network of family, friends, and groups which can provide emotional and practical assistance.
Women who are going through similar things can also provide consolation and understanding, especially in peer support groups.
Seek the help of a professional.
It is necessary for new moms to get expert assistance whether they experience symptoms of PND or not.
Embrace medication and therapy
Effective treatments have included talking therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and, if required, medication.
For free, confidential support around-the-clock, if you're a struggling mother and need assistance getting care, call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
Midlife and Beyond
As women progress into midlife, many encounter a transformative period where past roles and future possibilities come into sharp focus. This stage of life often involves navigating significant transitions—like changes in family dynamics, shifts in career paths, or the physiological impacts of aging.
Amid these transitions, mental health becomes both a challenge and an opportunity for reinvention.
Embracing Midlife Transitions
Midlife is a time when many women begin to question long-held narratives about identity and purpose. The departure of children from the home, the reassessment of career paths, and the physiological changes associated with menopause.
All these can prompt a reexamination of self-worth and life satisfaction. While these transitions can sometimes lead to a crisis of identity, they also open the door to new opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Women may experience the following in midlife:
Empty Nest Syndrome:
The emotional impact of children leaving home can lead to feelings of loneliness and a loss of purpose.
Menopause-Related Challenges:
Hormonal changes during menopause often contribute to mood swings, anxiety, and depression, yet these are frequently under-discussed.
Career Reevaluation:
Midlife can prompt a reassessment of professional achievements and future aspirations, leading to either reinvention or reaffirmation of one’s career path.
How to Build Resilience during this Phase
Prioritizing self-care: Treating personal well-being as essential, not optional.
Community support: Leaning on friendships or support groups for shared understanding.
Embracing imperfection: Letting go of unrealistic expectations and practicing grace.
This life stage becomes more fulfilling when women give themselves permission to rest, feel, and receive support — rather than carrying the weight of the world alone.
Later Life and ageing
As women age and enter later life, they face peculiar mental health issues. A few major life transitions that may occur at this time are retirement, the death of a spouse or other loved ones, a rise in physical health problems, and social isolation.
These events have the potential to significantly affect their mental health and cause cognitive decline, anxiety, and depression.
It is important to comprehend these issues in order to support and encourage older women's mental health.
Signs to Look Out For:
Reduced involvement in social activities and hobbies.
Persistent sadness, tearfulness, or reduced motivation.
Changes in sleep patterns, appetite, or energy levels.
Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things.
Coping Strategies for Women in this Phase
Participating in either physical or virtual community activities, clubs, or groups to avoid isolation.
Staying in touch with family and friends through regular phone calls and social media.
Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and medical check-ups.
Engaging in mentally stimulating activities, e.g reading, puzzles, or learning new skills.
Accessing mental health professionals who specialise in aged care.
Signing up for counselling and support groups for bereavement to provide solace and understanding.
Volunteering and engaging in hobbies and interests.
Celebrating International Women’s Day with Purpose
International Women’s Day is more than a day of recognition or celebration, it’s an opportunity to pay attention to every area of life of the modern woman, including her mental health.
Every International Women’s Day should serve as a poignant reminder that mental health is not confined to one stage of life. It evolves from adolescence through young adulthood, across the demanding balancing act of career and family, motherhood and into the reflective stages of midlife and beyond.
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