A new study said that more than 15 million women have suffered mental health problems of some kind, and are twice as likely as men to be depressed. The report from a support group Platform 51, formerly the YWCA found that depression in women can be seriously damaging leading women to engage in “self-destructive” behaviour such as drinking, sexual promiscuity and building up debt.
The study found that girls and women were almost twice as likely as boys and men to suffer from depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders and low self-esteem. The researchers conducted a nationally representative survey of 2,000 girls and women aged 12 and over in England and Wales. They found that three in five girls and women had experienced mental health problems, while almost one third had taken anti-depressant drugs. One in four women suffering low-level mental health problems have taken at least a week off work as a result. Many of the triggers were losing their jobs, the breakdown of a relationship, getting into debt or becoming pregnant. Younger girls suffer from depression due to moving homes or schools. Almost half of respondents to the survey said they had stayed in bed or not left the house for a long period of time when depressed while 13% had quit a job.
Thus the report – “Women like me; supporting wellbeing in girls and women”, urges health authorities and policy makers to review the “over-reliance” on anti-depressant drugs to treat mild and moderate mental health problems and to make counselling and psychotherapy more easily available to women. It reads, “Our research shows approximately 15.2 million women aged 12 and over in England and Wales have been affected by mental health problems of some kind… In 2009 an NHS report† revealed that female mental health is worsening with increasing numbers of women suffering depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.” The report warned that millions of women were not getting the right help, meaning their families and children often suffered as well.
According to Penny Newman, the chief executive of Platform 51, “Millions of girls and women are facing mental health problems and they not getting the support they need… Women are often the linchpins of their families and their communities, and if three in five of them aren’t meeting their potential, they lose out, their family and friends lose out and so does the wider society… Policy makers need to act now to address this crisis in women’s mental health.” Platform 51’s director of policy, research and campaigns Rebecca Gill added, “We were staggered by the results and shocked at how many women are experiencing these problems and feelings of loneliness and isolation when dealing with them…We want the Welsh Assembly Government to review prescription drugs as we are concerned some of our service users have been on anti-depressants for more than four years while waiting a very long time for counselling.”
An assembly government spokesman said, “While we cannot comment on a report that we haven't had an opportunity to study in detail, as outlined in Our Healthy Future, the public health strategic framework for Wales, we recognize the importance of preventing mental health problems and promoting positive mental health.” He added that the bilingual CALL (Community Advice and Listening Line) has become a round the clock support service for people experiencing mental health problems and their friends or relatives.
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