Mental health issues impact all genders. However, if studies are to be believed, they affect women more than men. As a matter of fact, a survey conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination in the year 2018 came up with some astounding results. They stated that women are twice as likely to experience depression compared to men.
However, owing to the stigma attached to mental health problems, they are unable to get the required help and manage their psychological problems. Not only this, but access to professional mental health facilities is also limited in conservative societies, and they are less likely to reach them.
In this article, we shall talk about how the mental health needs of women in conservative societies are more likely to be diagnosed with them when compared to men. Also, we shall discuss the steps that can be taken to provide them with the required services.
Why Women Are More Likely To Get Mental Health Issues?
One of the biggest reasons why women become victims of mental health problems is the hormonal disorders they encounter during various phases of life. The most common of them is the Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which is connected with the menstrual cycle. All women experiencing monthly menstrual cycles are prone to getting this mental health disorder.
Another major form of depression is the one that gets uncovered when a woman reaches her menopausal age. There are massive hormonal changes in her body that lead to this depression.
Women are also exposed to mental health disorders when they conceive a child. Throughout their pregnancies, they have to go through a wide range of psychological issues. These issues do not end even after the delivery. Rather, postpartum mental health issues are the most common amongst women. A lot of females fall into the trap of depression as soon as they deliver a baby. This is owing to the immense hormonal changes occurring in their bodies.
This does not mean that men don’t go through mental health challenges. Obviously, hormonal changes that happen in puberty lead to radical psychological problems in males. However, the currents are far limited when compared to what women endure as a regular mechanism of their bodies throughout their lives.
Making Sense Of Women’s Mental Health Issues In Conservative Societies
Mental health issues are prevalent both in urban as well as rural areas of Pakistan. However, as rural societies are considered more conservative when compared to urban areas, the problems associated with women are much more grave and intricate. Let’s discuss the problems associated with mental health issues of women in conservative societies.
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Stigmatised in Conservative Societies
Mental health problems are stigmatised heavily, no matter they are in rural or urban areas in Pakistan. However, as it is easier for men to step out of their homes and travel to seek help, they tend to be less affected by this stigma. They can get help from psychologists secretly and privately. This is not possible for women as they have severe mobility issues.
As far as the help from online sources like SehatYab is concerned, the women in conservative societies don’t have access to mobile phones and the internet. Hence, when they are deprived of these basic necessities, their ability to reach out to professional psychologists online gets hindered massively.
Cultural taboos and mental health stigma are widespread and often prevent women from seeking help.
Also Read :
Moving Forward After Divorce: A Healing Guide for Women in Pakistan
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Lack of Awareness
In conservative societies, even talking about mental health problems is looked down upon. Rather, if someone even mentions having depression or anxiety, he is made fun of. Most often than not, he is advised to strengthen his connection with God.
Women talking about their intricate mental health problems are termed as someone of an unsound mind. They are labeled to be maniacs, and people start maintaining distance from them. Hence, even if someone is going through some mental challenges, she would rather keep that to herself rather than discuss it with someone.
This is the sheer example of a lack of awareness. People in conservative societies are not apprised of the mental health problems. They are not sensitive to the intricacies associated with the hormonal changes in women and how they can impact their mental health.
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Limited Mobility And Access to Resources
In conservative societies, women are mostly limited to their homes. They are culturally and religiously not permitted to step out of the house. Also, they don’t have equal access to resources and lag behind it when compared to men.
As they can move out freely and visit a mental health specialist, most of their psychological problems remain unsolved. Also, they don’t have the monetary resources using which they can get professional help.
Gender roles in conservative societies are strict. Hence, they limit them within their houses and affect their decision-making powers.
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Social Pressure
Women in conservative societies are more pressured when compared to men. A lot of times, a woman can’t report intense domestic violence simply because she is pressured by her family. Also, a conservative society justifies such violence by calling it the rightful power exercised by a husband. Hence, women are mostly demotivated from reporting domestic violence or even seeking couples therapy.
Women in conservative societies also have many other undue pressures that they end up succumbing to. For instance, they are expected to bear a child as soon as they get married. The inability to conceive and fertility problems lead to mental health problems.
Also, the most common system of living in conservative societies is the joint family system. This comes with its own challenges and problems. Women are expected to endure this pressure with a smile. They are expected to prioritize the needs of their family members above their own needs and even their psychological and physical well-being.
The constant buildup leads to mental health problems getting intense, which can affect their physical health as well.
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Low Literacy Rate of Women
Girls belonging to conservative societies rarely attend school. Even if they do, they just have access to primary classes. Once they grow up, they are removed from the formal education institute and kept at home to learn homemaking skills. They are not given the required education that would help them understand how their bodies and minds work.
This leads to ignorance and unfamiliarity with the basic scientific and biological facts. Hence, women are left alone when they have to face their mental health hardships.
What Can Be Done To Help Women In Conservative Societies?
Here is how we can aid women in orthodox societies in coming out of the ignorance related to mental health issues:
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Providing Women-Only Support Groups
Gender mixing is not allowed in conservative societies. Hence, special sessions for women belonging to conservative societies where the support group consists of only women. This is something that would be somewhat acceptable in traditional societies.
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Bring Urban Facilities To Rural Areas
Most of the time, the expert mental health facilities are available only in urban areas due to obvious reasons. Bringing those facilities to the far-flung rural areas and traditional societies will help the local women avail themselves of these services.
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Developing Community Programs
Teams of mental health experts can develop effective community programs that will deal with the psychological problems of women. To gain the trust of the community, they can partner with the local women influencers. Also, by using culturally acceptable language and choosing informal gatherings for discussion, they can encourage open discussions.
Creating safe women-only spaces while keeping up with local values and modesty norms can make these community programs a success!
Final Thoughts
Women in conservative societies really have to deal with a lot of challenges, single-handedly. Helping them in getting awareness regarding mental health issues would definitely make a massive difference in their lives. SehatYab is an online platform that is working towards uplifting these women and aiding them in having mental health awareness and leading a positive life.
