Mental Health

What is mental healthcare?

Direct or indirect care to patients with mental health conditions in ambulatory settings. (NIH)

Indian women from nuclear families or women married at a very young age have a higher risk of self harm and suicide. (NIH)

History of women's mental healthcare in India

In Pre-Colonial India, there were numerous psychiatric hospitals. Mental hospitals (asylums actually) became a form of social control in India once British colonialists arrived.

In 2017, the BBC photographed a women's ward in a psychiatric hospital in Delhi. The photographer, Cheena Kapoor, described women who were abandoned by their families, a stark opposition to the men's ward where family often visited. Some patients in the hospital were fully recovered, but remained in the hospital as their parents abandoned them.

History of women's mental healthcare in US

Prior to the 20th century, women were often diagnosed with the blanket term "hysteria" to explain unrelated symptoms. These usually included any semblence of independence or 'insubordination' from women. Symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses began to be treated with pyschiatric care and medication in the late 20th century.

Social stigmas in the US

In western societies, studies found that stigma around mental health came from miconceptions and misunderstanding of mental illness. Researchers also found in additional studies that African American women face additional stigma and pressure to appear as strong as possible, commonly refered to as the "Superwoman" schema.

Social stigmas in India

Studies reported that women in India were afraid of the judgement from others if given a mental health diagnosis. Women are more concerned about stigma ruining their relationships with family members, while men were worried about facing stigma at work. Another study showed women in mental health treatment were concerned about their marriage prospects, a struggle the men did not share.

Types of Mental Health Treatment

Medication (Antidepressants, antipsychotics)
Therapy (Cognitive behavioral therapy, talk therapy, group therapy)
Inpatient treatment at a psychiatric hospital

Disparities Between Men and Women's Mental Healthcare in the United States

While men are less likely to pursue mental healthcare, they're more likely to commit suicide. Studies show this gap is more prevelant in western countries, where men are 3.5 times more likely to commit suicide than women. Reluctance to seek mental health treatment in men is partially attributed to their traditional gender roles, wherein negative emotions are considered a weakness among men.

Even though women are more likely to seek out mental health care, in the United States, only half of women who meet the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder are diagnosed.

Barriers for Women's Mental Healthcare in India

In India, one of the largest disparities in mental health treatment is that between men and women of rural communities. A 2020 study of Indian women in select rural communities found that 15% of women showed signs of depression, exhibiting high risk factors of marital problems and lack of education surrounding domestic violence. Poverty and social stigmas in India have been shown to prevent women from seeking out mental health care.

Reports have shown that India does not have sufficent mental health care providers or infrastructure. Despite 75% of India's population living in rural areas, those areas only have 25% of India's health infastructure.

Discrimination towards people with mental health disorders is another strong barrier for Indian women seeking treatment. However, in a study conducted in the rural community of Maharashtra, women were found to get support from their community helpers and workers, as well as some select family members.

Mental Health and Education

A review of Indian SMHPs (School Mental Health Programs) found they are not, in the authors' opinions, effective for school children. Some programs with trained counselors have found to be effective. Students found to be struggling are referred to community professionals outside of the school, subjecting students to stigmas and barriers discussed earlier.

Mental Health and Education

Depending on the state, students may learn about taking care of their mental health during health classes. These classes are not regulated federally, but on the state level, so the content varies.

Conclusion...

Women face barriers to mental health care access in comparison to men of the same nationality, but women in India are less likely to recieve the mental health care they need than American women. Indian women, especially in rural areas, face stronger societal stigmas and lack of treatment providers that women in America face to a lesser extent. Treatment facilities for women in India such as the one photographed by the BBC can be places for families to abandon the women in their family, which has been consistent since the British occupation of India.

Women in the United States face issues getting mental disorders diagnosed and financed, but the social stigmas aren't as stifiling. They still exist, but in the last two decades, the United States has made strides to normalize mental health treatment. Insurance and the cost of healthcare is one of the larger barriers for women in the states, especially as prices rise nationally.

Page updated

Report abuse