Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 17
AND
Women
MENT AL
HEALTH
n 2022, the Australian Bureau of Statistics’
National Study of Mental Health and
Wellbeing reported that four in 10
Australians aged 16 to 85 suffered an
anxiety, depression, or substance
abuse disorder during the previous
昀椀nancial year. Recent statistics also
found that 21% of women have an
anxiety disorder and that
56% of females have at least
1 of the 10 selected chronic
conditions.
I
While mental health is important
for all genders, women can suffer
from certain mental health
conditions at higher rates
than men due to a range of factors…
Biological differences include:
1. Menstruation.
2. Menopause.
3. Pregnancy and birth.
4. Different forms of cancers such as cervical
cancer.
Socioeconomic, political, and cultural
factors include:
1. Women are more likely to be carers, which
can lead to stress, anxiety, and isolation.
2. Physical and mental abuse, which can have a
long-term impact on their mental health.
3. Gender based inequalities, unstable
work conditions, and disparities in pay
also contribute to women’s higher risk of
depression.
4. Women experience sexual violence 昀椀ve
times higher than men which can cause
severe mental health issues including PTSD.
