Make mental health a priority
THOUGH mental illness remains one of the most stigmatised illness categories worldwide, it is important to know that gender is a critical determinant of mental health and mental illness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says gender determines the differential power and control men and women have over the socio-economic determinants of their mental health and lives, their social position, status and treatment in society and their susceptibility and exposure to specific mental health risks.
Gender differences occur particularly in the rates of common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and somatic complaints — disorders in which women predominate.
Unipolar depression (major depressive disorder), predicted to be the second leading cause of global disability burden by 2020, is twice as common in women. WHO says depression is not only the most common women’s mental health problem, but it may be more persistent in women than men.
To help lessen the contingence of depressed women globally, we need to remember to include mental health as part of our yearly check-ups. Ensure that your mental health becomes a priority.
