Psychologically healthy when you get married

Women's mental health: how to cope with the challenges of modern life

1.Mental health in women

Mental health in women is an important topic that deserves more attention. Women face many challenges that can affect their emotional, mental and social well-being. Some are biological, such as hormonal changes, pregnancy and menopause, while others are related to social and cultural factors, such as discrimination, violence, poverty and stress.

According to the European Commission, women are 40% more likely to develop a mental illness than men. Some of the more common mental health problems among women are depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide attempts and eating disorders.

Mental health is important for everyone, but there are specific aspects that affect the fairer half differently than men. Women are exposed to a variety of factors that can affect their self-esteem. These factors can lead to a greater susceptibility to mental disorders.

To improve their mental health, women need to take care of themselves and others, seek and offer support, learn to cope with negative emotions and situations, enjoy life and develop their potentials. It is also crucial that women have access to quality and equitable health services that take into account their specific needs and protect them from discrimination and violence. At European and national level, various initiatives are being implemented to promote gender equality in mental health and to support women suffering from mental health problems.

Women's mental health is a topic that deserves more attention and action. The better women feel in their own skin, the better they will function in their personal and professional lives, and also the better society as a whole will be.

2.Mental health issues in women

Some of the more common mental health problems among women are depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide attempts and eating disorders.

What are the causes of these problems?

First of all, women are exposed to various biological factors that can affect their mental health. An example here is women who have lower levels of serotonin, the hormone responsible for regulating mood, sleep and appetite. Along with this, women experience hormonal changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause that can lead to emotional instability, depression and anxiety.

Secondly, women face multiple social and cultural factors that can negatively impact their mental health. For example, women are more often than men victims of discrimination, violence, poverty, unemployment, isolation and stress. These factors can lead to low self-esteem, hopelessness, fear and helplessness. In addition, women are exposed to greater social pressure to conform to certain standards of appearance, behaviour and roles, which can lead to unhealthy habits such as excessive eating, starvation, alcohol or drug abuse.

What are the types of mental health problems that more commonly affect the fairer half of humanity?

According to the American Anxiety and Depression Association, women are twice as likely as men to suffer from generalized anxiety disorder, certain phobias or panic attacks. Anxiety is characterized by constant worry, fear, nervousness and restlessness that can impair the quality of life and interfere with a person's normal functioning. Anxiety can be triggered by a variety of situations. Among the most common are work, family, health, finances, social relationships, and others. Anxiety can manifest with various physical and mental symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweating, difficulty breathing, nausea, headache, insomnia, upset temper, irritability, lack of concentration, and others.

• Depression is another common mental health problem among women

Depression is diagnosed twice as often among the female sex and has various physiological, psychological and socio-cultural causes. It is characterized by prolonged and severe drops in mood resulting in loss of interest in life, pleasure and meaning. Depression can be triggered by a variety of factors. Among the more common are: hormonal changes, stress, trauma, loss, conflict, loneliness and many more. Depression can also manifest with a variety of physical and mental symptoms such as: fatigue, frustration, hopelessness, guilt, self-blame, suicidal thoughts, apathy, indifference, sleepiness, insomnia, appetite and weight changes, pain, and more.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

This is another mental health problem that is more common in women. PTSD is a condition in which a person experiences a repeated and intense traumatic event, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, military service, an act of terrorism, a natural disaster, and more. PTSD can develop immediately after the trauma or after some time. This brain condition can manifest with a variety of physical and mental symptoms.

3.Stigma on issues related to women's mental health

Stigma is a set of negative attitudes and beliefs that motivate society to fear, reject and discriminate against people with mental health problems. Stigma can manifest at different levels which include individual, family, professional, institutional and societal. Some of the effects of stigma are:

- Low self-esteem, self-blame and isolation;

- Fear of disclosure of mental health problem and loss of confidence;

- Lack of information, understanding and sympathy;

- Difficulty accessing quality and equitable health services;

- Violation of the rights and freedoms of people with mental health problems;

- Limiting opportunities for education, work, family and socialising.

How can we break the stigma and support women with mental health problems?

Here are some suggestions:

- Education and information:

There is a need to increase awareness and knowledge about the causes, types, symptoms and treatment of mental health problems, as well as the rights and needs of people with mental health problems. This can be achieved by raising awareness about Women's Mental Health Month, as well as by planning campaigns, workshops, brochures, websites and other means of communication to reach different groups in society, such as women, men, children, youth, parents, teachers, employers, health workers and others;

- Dialogue and solidarity:

There is a need to encourage open and honest conversation about mental health and to support initiatives that create space for the exchange of experiences, opinions and feelings between people with mental health problems and those without. This can be achieved through self-help groups, meetings, forums, blogs, social networks and other forms of interaction that help to reduce isolation, strengthen trust and create community. One good recommendation is through a donation site PavelAndreev.ORG, where anyone can support a campaign to raise donations to raise awareness, as well as support various initiatives during Women's Mental Health Month. On this site, anyone can start their own donation campaign to support women's mental health.

- Advocacy and Action:

There is a need to advocate for the rights and interests of people with mental health problems. It is important to fight against the discrimination and violence they experience. This can be achieved through participation in organisations, movements, campaigns, protests and other forms of civic engagement that contribute to changing mental health legislation, policies and practices. All of this can be informed by Women's Mental Health Month itself.

Stigma around women's mental health issues is a serious problem that harms women, their families and society as a whole. To break it and support women with mental health problems, we need to act together with compassion and solidarity.

Start your campaign now or support someone in need.

4.Support women through PavelAndreev.BG donation site

Women are bearers of life, love and beauty. They are mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, friends, colleagues, students, teachers, leaders, artists, athletes, activists and much more. They occupy a variety of roles that they fulfill in their lives with dignity, talent and passion. Women are strong, smart, creative, courageous and sensitive. They deserve respect, equality, freedom and support.

Unfortunately, many women face various problems that limit their rights, opportunities and potential. Some of these problems are:

- Violence in all its forms - physical, sexual, psychological, economic, cultural and other forms

According to the European Agency for Fundamental Rights, one in three women in Europe has experienced some form of violence since the age of 15. In Bulgaria, according to the National Centre for Public Opinion Research, 28% of women have been victims of domestic violence.

- Gender discrimination and inequality

Women are more likely to face barriers and prejudice in accessing education, work, health, politics and other areas of life.

According to Eurostat, women in Europe earn on average 14.1% less than men for the same job. In Bulgaria, according to the Institute for Market Economics, women are represented in sub-managerial positions, and only 16.6% of them are in executive positions.

- Health and social issues

Ladies are exposed to various risks and diseases related to their reproductive and mental health. Some of them are breast cancer, cervical cancer, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and others.

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cause of death among women worldwide. In Bulgaria, according to the National Institute of Statistics, 22.9% of women reported poor or very poor health.

How to support women through PavelAndreev.BG donation site ?

One way is to help is by joining the charity campaigns that are organized through the PavelAndreev.ORG donation site. This is a platform created by Pavel Andreev himself. It aims to enable people to raise funds for medical treatment and social causes. Every cause is worthwhile and everyone can get involved with as much as they want. Along with that, anyone can start their own charity campaign.

On the PavelAndreev.ORG website you can find many fundraising campaigns related to support for women.

If you want to help the gentle watering holes of humanity who are fighting for their lives and health, you can donate an amount of your choice through the PavelAndreev.ORG website. Every lev you donate will make a huge difference. You can follow the progress of the campaigns and see what has been achieved with your donations. It will be even more noble if you yourself devote some of your resources to start a donation campaign in support of women's mental health. The choice is yours!