No health without mental health: Women’s perspective

Pages:225-229
Ravneet Kaur (Department of Psychology, Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Punjab)

Mental health is an integral and important component of health expressing a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities that one can cope with mental stressors of life, can work productively in order to achieve success and is able to make contribution to his or her community. Gender being a social imputation of sex-appropriate role behavior has a significant impact on the exposure of individual to mental health risks. Women are integral to all aspects of society and promoting women’s mental health is an essential part of their overall health. Mental health conditions occur more often in women and can play a significant role in the status of women’s overall health. Mental health of women is a serious issue and their psychological well-being becomes a cause for great concern. Exposure to gender-specific risk factors such as gender based violence, socio-economic disparity, inequitable distribution of resources, subordinate social status and unremitting responsibilities for the care of others increase the probability of occurrence of mental health problems among women. The present paper addresses the mental health problems of women and provides the suggestions for improving the overall well-being of women. Empowering women in social, political, and economic aspects is essential which can go a long way in erasing their feeling of victimization and enhancing their self-esteem, thus paving the way for better mental health.