Relevance of Gender in Mental Health in India: Women are Disadvantaged

Abstract

When it comes to mental health, gender matters. Men and women experience psychological stress in different ways. Gender
disparities are especially noticeable in mental illnesses that are more common in women. In addition to being more likely than
other women to experience sexual or physical abuse, women who misuse alcohol or drugs tend to blame their drinking on
stressful situations or traumatic experiences. Young married women and girls from nuclear homes are more likely to commit
suicide or self-harm.
Social and gender-specific variables influence the occurrence and progression of mental illnesses in female patients. The low
number of hospital visits among women can be partially attributed to their lack of resources. In India, over two-thirds of married
women are victims of domestic abuse. The prevalence of domestic violence from 2019 to 2021 was 31.2%. Approximately
28.5%, 13.1% and 5.7% of women reported experiences of physical, emotional and sexual violence (Mishra SK et al., 2024).
Social, political, economic and legal reforms have the potential to transform Indian women’s lives and improve their mental
wellbeing. To deal with the difficulties that women’s mental health presents today, it is critical to approach mental health
initiatives from a gender perspective. In addition, investigating alternative approaches to service delivery, including the use of
mobile phone technology, which has the potential to be efficient and increase accessibility to services, can enhance the provision
of mental healthcare for women.