Mental Health Resources for Women

Self-care has recently become more popular and widely acknowledged. When you practice self-care, you apply relaxing coping mechanisms to care for your own mental wellbeing at home.

How you care for yourself depends on your needs. Some more common forms of self-care include special hygiene routines, long baths, relaxing music, or skipping a stressful event. You can also do something more personal to yourself. Indulge in hobbies like art, long walks, cooking, or tending a garden.

Risk factors differ by type of mental illness, but there are some basic things you can look out for.

• A history of mental illness in your family or other mental illnesses you've had
• Increased stress in your life, whether professional or personal
• A sudden stressful event (such as job loss or the death of a loved one)
• A chronic physical condition
• Traumatic brain injury or another injury to the brain
• Traumatic events, such as accidents, military combat, or sexual violence
• Alcohol and/or drug use
• Abuse or neglect in childhood
• Relationship abuse
• Isolation or a lack of close family or friend relationships

(Mental Illness, Mayo Clinic)

According to the American Psychological Association, 83% of psychologists in 2019 were white. (Demographics of the US Psychology Workforce, APA) That can sometimes make it harder for women of color to seek the care they need, if they feel like they can't find a therapist or psychologist who relates to them. Women of color are also more likely to experience poor access to healthcare services than white women, which makes it harder to find an affordable counselor. (Ethnic & Racial Minorities and Socioeconomic Status, APA) The prevalence of mental health professionals in cities doesn't extend to rural areas. Some women don't live anywhere near a therapist's office, and can't travel the long distances required to find one.

Therapists often provide talk-based therapy. They talk to you about the problems you're experiencing and help you figure out how to move forward. A psychiatrist can provide these services, but they can also prescribe medication. They tend to have a doctorate degree, except in a few specialties.

There are plenty of ways to interact with mental health care. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the more common forms of therapy. It's an evidence-backed form of talk therapy that aims to help you reduce and manage symptoms of mental illness. You can book couples, family, or group therapy sessions to work through issues together. If you book a psychiatry appointment, you may be prescribed a medication to help you manage symptoms.

Alongside mental and emotional symptoms there may also be physical symptoms, depending on the mental illness. Low mental and physical energy, fatigue, and loss of appetite or change in sexual drive may all indicate depression. If you're experiencing increased heart rate, hyperventilation, trembling, and a weak feeling, you may have an anxiety disorder. There are also more severe symptoms, like hallucinations caused by schizophrenia. If you're unsure what your symptoms mean, book an appointment with one of our clinicians.

Talking about mental illness can be hard. If you're looking to help a loved one through a tough time, make sure to keep an open mind and remind them that you're there to support them. If you're looking to discuss your own mental health with a friend or family member, talk to your therapist. They can offer tips on how to bring up your mental health in a way that's safe and healthy for you.

If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek help in an emergency room or use a helpline like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. If you're the victim of sexual abuse, you can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.