Delhi has turned out to become the hotspot of “heightened anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)” in women. Where women in Mumbai struggle with academic and workplace burnout, stigma keeps many in Kolkata from seeking help.
According to a recent report released by MPower, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, women across the globe are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from anxiety and depression. In India, they account for 36.6 per cent of all suicides, wherein young women aged 18 to 39 are most vulnerable.
“Women shoulder multiple burdens,” said Dr Preeti Parakh, psychiatrist and head at MPower-The Centre in Kolkata. “In females, hormonal changes often result in emotional imbalance which is biological.” External pressure adds to this “biological stress” and the impact worsens.
One in every two women report chronic stress from work-life balance, financial pressures, and social expectations. About half the female fraction suffer from insomnia, whereas loneliness and academic and workplace pressure are other major factors of distress.
According to Parakh, often, it is the “lack of control over decision making and financial dependence” which prevent them from seeking help. “Helpline services are definitely helpful,” she added. “However, professional consulting is always recommended.”
The report—titled ‘Unveiling the Silent Struggle’—was conducted over a year with data from 1.3 million women, and studied mental health of women across various sectors. Rural and corporate women showed high symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, 90 per cent of those working in corporate sectors reported a dip in that productivity due to certain mental health issues. On the other hand, women in armed forces were found prone to trauma disorders.
Experts recommend the integration of mental health services into primary healthcare systems for easier access. Recognising mental well-being as a public health priority, they call for safer workplaces with stronger policies and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). It is also suggested to implement mandatory mental health screenings during prenatal and postnatal check-ups to identify conditions like postpartum depression.
