Women’s experiences, including their caring roles, experiences of violence and abuse, and body image pressures, can impact their mental health.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues you can find information and guidance on HSE yourmentalhealth.ie and https://www.nwci.ie/womens_mental_health_support

16% of women in Ireland are at probable risk of depression during their pregnancy

A population survey of the prevalence rates of antenatal depression in the Irish Maternity Services showed that one in six pregnant women – or 16% of pregnant women –  are at probable risk of depression during their pregnancy[1]

The estimated number of women affected by perinatal mental illness in Ireland each year is outlined in the HSE Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services Model of care for Ireland[2] (p.17).

Caring for others mean women can neglect their own mental health and wellbeing

The World Health Organisation has called the pressure that women face the ‘triple burden of productive, reproductive, and caring work’.[3]

In Ireland, it is predominantly women who take on the responsibility of looking after the household, with 81% of women in Ireland recording daily involvement in housework, compared to 44% of men.[4]  Women also take on the majority of caring for their children, partner, parents, and other relatives.[5]  

In Ireland almost half of carers said they were diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety and two thirds of these said it was caused or exacerbated by caring

In a recent report from Family Carers Ireland and the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland almost half of carers surveyed said they were diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety and two thirds of these said it was caused or exacerbated by caring. 90% of those surveyed for this study were women.[6]

Women who experience mental health difficulties may feel judged as mothers and be concerned about the removal of their children

In the UK, the Women’s Mental Health Taskforce[7] reported that women are sometimes reluctant to seek support for fear of having their children removed from their care, and for those who no longer had their children with them, the impact this had had on their mental health was frequently overlooked.

The Mind Mothers study - Perinatal mental health: an exploration of practices, policies, processes and education needs of midwives and nurses within maternity and primary care services in Ireland [8], identified women’s caring role as a potential barrier inhibiting discussion on mental health issues. Fears that women would misinterpret questions as a judgement of their mothering capacity could act as a barrier to some professionals offering support.

Approximately one third of young women in Ireland diet regularly and are dissatisfied with their body

Women are at least 2-3 times more likely to develop an eating disorder

According to the HSE Model of Care for Ireland for Eating Disorder Services[9], approximately one third of adolescent females in Ireland diet regularly and are dissatisfied with their body, with around 10% being at risk of eating disorders. Eating disorders remain more common in females, particularly for Anorexia Nervosa, and for Bulimia Nervosa where prevalence rates are three times higher than for males.

Gender stereotypes have consequences for women’s health, self-confidence and well-being

World Health Organisation (2016)[10] states that: “Gender stereotypes have consequences for women’s health in terms of self-confidence and well-being; in particular, concerns about physical appearance may cause girls and young women to develop eating disorders and other mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. Moreover, stereotypes and sexism pave the way for certain forms of oppression, such as sexual harassment and gender-based violence. Gender stereotypes affect health systems responses, such as in under- and overdiagnosis of certain conditions.”

In 2016, young women 15-24 were the group with the highest percentage of negative mental health.

Results from the 2016 Healthy Ireland Survey[11] showed that of those surveyed young women aged 15-24 reported the highest levels (16%) of negative mental health. This compares to 11% of women overall, and 10% of the total population aged 15+.

In the My World Survey on youth mental health in Ireland[12]  young women reported a higher degree of mental health distress than males. Young women also reported lower levels of self-esteem and optimism than males.

One in four women in Ireland have experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15.

In 2014, the Fundamental Rights Agency reported that 1 in 4 (or 26%) women in Ireland had experienced physical and/or sexual violence by current and/or previous partner, or by any other person since the age of 15. [13]

For women who experience violence, the mental health consequences – from depression to post-traumatic stress disorder – can be far-reaching.

One systematic review and meta-analysis[14] reported a three times increase in the likelihood of depressive disorders, a four times increase in the likelihood of anxiety disorders, and a seven times increase in the likelihood of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse.[15]

The mental health consequences of experiencing physical, sexual or psychological abuse can be far-reaching.[16]

During menopause some women can experience mood changes such as low mood or anxiety, memory problems and difficulty sleeping

The NHS[17] lists difficulty sleeping, problems with memory and concentration, and mood changes, such as low mood or anxiety as common symptoms of menopause.

It is estimated that 8 out of 10 women experience physical and mental symptoms leading up to the menopause. Of these, 45% find their symptoms difficult to deal with[18].

Women are more likely to earn less and be less financially secure

According to Eurostat, in 2017 the Irish gender pay gap was 13.9%.[19]

2016 SILC data confirms that lone parent households (90% of whom are women) with one or more children under 18 had consistent poverty rates of 24.6% and the highest deprivation rates, at 50.1%. In other words, 1 in 4 lone parents are living in consistent poverty.[20]