It is important to look at gender in relation to mental health because of how women and men are individually treated in the medical field in terms of diagnostics, care and how serious the concerns that are expressing are being taken into consideration. In the article Gender and Women’s Mental Health posted by the World Health Organization they stated how “gender is a critical determinant of mental health and mental illness. The morbidity associated with mental illness has received substantially more attention than the gender specific determinants and mechanisms that promote and protect mental health”. For example, I have come across many different conversations where women are perceived as being the “weaker” gender with how often we wear our emotions on our sleeves while constantly expressing our fears and happiness compared to men who are seen as being the tough ones and the “muscle” of the family when that is not always the case which leads to them being accurately seen as showing anger, being emotionless and then maybe expressing their happiness last. These are all examples of common stereotypical descriptions of both genders. With these stereotypes in mind and how one chooses to express their concerns and symptoms women are often diagnosed with major depression, PTSD or anything of that sort compared to men who are more likely to be diagnosed with substance abuse or as having disregards to other people. I feel that in some cases but not all men would rather turn to abusive behavior rather than reaching out for help or showing this kind of emotion because of them being worried about how it makes them look or whatever the reason may be “despite being common, mental illness is underdiagnosed by doctors. Less than half of those who meet diagnostic criteria for psychological disorders are identified by doctors” (WHO, 2020). 
 
It is essential for everyone especially health care providers to be aware of specific symptoms associated with each separate diagnosis and being educated on how to properly treat one facing a mental health issue or disorder because this does play a role on how we treat and are able to best support our loved ones as well as providers being able to develop the right treatment plan for their patients “gender bias occurs in the treatment of psychological disorders. Doctors are more likely to diagnose depression in women compared with men, even when they have similar scores on standardized measures of depression or present with identical symptoms” (WHO, 2020). When men and women are expressing the same or somewhat similar concerns and they are receiving completely different diagnosed (which are not always true to an individual’s health by the way) we need to look more into the connection between gender and mental health as a whole and how we could better manage and support these individuals without being bias or providing discrimination based on one’s past with violence, income, socioeconomic status or race. It is necessary to see an individual for who they are rather than as their gender, race or illness. This is an common topic that deserves more conversation than there currently is in order to improve health outcomes for all, this includes having effective conversations with providers, having the appropriate access to the needed resources, services and support from those that they need it from the most that will positively influence the good of their health. 

One video that really stood out to me was “How Childhood Trauma Impacts Health Across the Lifespan”by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris who address childhood trauma not as something that you could just get over as you get older and how it starts with one’s parents struggling with mental health or substance abuse possibly leading to a number of health risk for yourself. I found her overall mindset and her experience in the health field very impactful and inspiring especially when thinking about the current health care system that we have that does not work to support, treat and reach all. She reminds me of this show that I watch “New Amsterdam” in terms of the kind of work that the medical director Dr. Max Goodwin does in order to care for all in his community. To me they show many similarities with how they both are able to step outside out the box in order to treat those under supported rather than following the “normal” protocol because though it is in place does not mean it is always right. Dr. Harris was able to further educate herself on gender, mental health and human rights and use this information in direct link with the kind of care that she offers to those in need. She takes these statistics and numbers and uses them to her advantage in order to properly address the issues surrounding mental health through her clinical practice and in her career. She and her partner created a center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco to prevent, screen and heal the impacts of ACEs and toxic stress successfully making a huge impact on those in the community “providers are not trained in routine screening and treatment” which caught my attention because I do not understand why this wouldn’t be a part of your training and rather than following this she chose to read more and more on the topic and provide services based on what was lacking in our system because as providers we are supposed to “use this science for prevention and treatment” (Harris, 2015). One reading that stood out to me was Mental Health and Human Rights: vision, praxis and courage by Michael Dudley Derrick Silove and Fran Gale. This reading is very organized and easy to with how they chose to present the information on this topic with address gender differences. It clearly touches on important issues that we are still facing in our health care system today and they even provide some entail with how we could work to improve things in best interest of the people. Each author was able to provide direct views on experiences on human rights with addressing women and violence, health, bodies, roles in mental health, discrimination, types of mental illness and of course human rights for both women and children. 
 
 
Reference List:
World Health Organization. (2020). Gender and Women's Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/genderwomen/en/

Harris, N. (2015). How Childhood Trauma Impacts Health Across the Lifespan.Ted Talks. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/95ovIJ3dsNk
 
Dudley, et al. (2012). Mental Health and Human Rights: vision, praxis and courage. 
 
 

By: Dolma Sherpa

I came across this twitter post and at that time our class was focusing on maternal health and reproductive justice, I thought this would be a interesting topic to talk about. 

Motherhood is a very difficult thing to handle and it is totally okay to not want kids. Women can still be considered "real" women and can be a functional people without being a mother. However, if your goal in life is to be a mother then you do you and more power to you. If you don't want to be mother then power to you as well! Because motherhood isn't for everyone and we need to stop acting like it is.

After reading “What is Reproductive Justice?” by Stevens, this quote stood out to me the most, “reproductive justice is a framework conceived of by women of color, defined by the core belief that every woman has the right to decide if and when she will have a baby, to decide if she will not have a baby”. This quote inspired me to write this poem. 

Not everyone can be a mother
some can’t be one and some don’t want to be one.
But we are all still “real women” yet misrepresented
didn’t ask for your judgement but talk until your heart’s content.
 
For some, being mother defines who they are
For others, not choosing to be mother is who they are
What’s wrong? What’s right?
I will be the one to decide.
 
Your worth is not contingent to reproduction
Your body and choices is not up for any discussion
You do you even though life gets tougher
You are still stronger and bolder
​even though you didn't choose the same path as other
because not everyone wants to be a mother.

Reference
Stevens, A. (2017). What is Reproductive Justice? Against the Current, 32(2), 8. 

By: Dolma Sherpa

Growing up, I thought I was emotionally and mentally healthy. I had a huge family and we were a lively and tight-knit group consisting of around 20 blood relatives and hundreds of non-blood relatives. We have family gatherings twice a month and big holiday parties a lot. Everyone knew each other’s business and everytime my distant family members saw me, all they asked me was about school, my future, commented on my weight, skin color, and just those "normal" things.

But when I look back, I realize that we never talked about important topics and mental health was rarely discussed. Even if they talked about mental health or illness, it was always in a negative way and hushed tones. The Ted Talk “How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime”  by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris talks about how our childhood shapes who we become as an adults and how exposure to adversity affects the "developing brains and bodies of children" (Harris, 2014). I totally agree with this statement. Being raised in that sort of environment changed the way I perceived mental health. I could tell by the way they talk or more like gossip about others' mental illness, it was always negative and seen as a sign of weakness. It was considered "shame" to talk about your mental illness and the stigma that was associated with mental health restrained me and engrained those false beliefs in my mind.

When I was around 12 years old, I remember at one of our family gathering, one of my older cousin spoke about her mental health and how she is depressed and anxious all the time. Her statement changed the whole vibe of our gathering, everyone was silent but she still continued talking about how her parents always forced her to be "perfect" and successful. She went on and on about her struggles during childhood and how that have impacted her adulthood. Everyone was shocked to hear the truthful confession but what she said afterwards stunned everyone in that room. I still remember this scene like it was yesterday, she stood up and confessed, "I have been seeing therapist for months".
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From such a young age, I have been told that seeking counseling or help is a sign of weakness and only people who are "crazy" goes to those therapy session. That false belief was instilled in my mind by my family and relatives. When my cousin confessed, she wasn't trying to change the perception of her parents at all. She was trying to tell those who are hiding their "weakness" and struggles because of stigma and shame, that it is okay to seek help and it is okay to be not okay! Because of her braveful confession, so many young adults in my family are open to seeking counseling and opening about their mental illness. However, mental health is still being talked in a hushed tones in my extended family but when we understand ourselves well enough then it doesn't matter what others think about us, not at all. My parents have been very supportive and doing their best to understand my struggles and trying to educate themselves about the importance of mental health. Just like Elyn Saks mentioned on her Ted Talk, "we need to invest more resources into research and treatment of mental illness" and spread awareness and positive attitude toward mental health and mental illness in order to eliminate any form of stigma and discrimination that is associated with mental health (Saks, 2012). 

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References
Harris, N. B. (2014). How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime. Retrieved fromhttps://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_across_a_lifetime
Saks, E. (2012, June). A tale of mental illness -- from the inside. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/elyn_saks_a_tale_of_mental_illness_from_the_inside?language=en

By. Jooyoung Kang

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​What do you think or feel when “mental health” comes to you?

As Korean American, I never knew how mental health can impact individual life or why people even get one. Mental health stigma placed shapely in my culture where we consider mental illness is for weak or crazy people. Showing that you are emotionally vulnerable is not how we wanted to present ourselves to others. Elders used to say, “Everyone feels that way. But we endure it.” “You are just overly sensitive.” or “You have a really weird personality. You will not get along with others if you have that attitude. Be positive.”

According to the American Psychological Association, Many second-generation Asian Americans deals with mental illness due to many factors, such as:

• ​Academics pressure from family members
• The taboo of mental illness
• Racial discrimination
• Balancing two different cultures 

Soon as we realize that we were a hidden minority group in America, we wash away our rooted culture from us. As a girl who came from an immigrant family, in order to fit into American society, I had two conflicting cultures fighting against each other on many perspectives. Because of my emotions feeling ashamed of my Korean accent, felt embarrassed due to my Korean name that teachers mispronounce on every attendance, had to care if my look was “too Asian”, whatever that means, I was a muted girl for 7 years of my education up until college. I finally exploded with anxiety and panic attacks during my 3rd year of college when I couldn’t handle any more with everything. The pressure of being a good student with good grades, forcing myself to do work that I’m not doing well of to make my parents proud and make them feel that it was worth it for them to sacrifice their life in America for me, and to be a good worker or good friend who loved other more than herself even though it never ended up well.

​Culture Matters: Indigenous Perspectives on Behavioral Healthcare film shows how indigenous groups use their own culture to help others with mental illness. Enduring and practicing their culture as a program was significant care that was different from my own Asian American people when they’re trying to gain mental health. I do believe it is very important for us to accept and ensure our own-rooted culture in order to build my own values instead of other values. Especially as an immigrant, it is hard to fit yourself into a new society and community with judgments just because of a difference. Only if I knew how to embraced my culture and learned how to cherish myself instead of comparing and self blamed through multiple discrimination as an Asian girl with an expected quiet role in the majority of the society.

After the breakdown, I decided to see a counselor. More than I ever expected, so many college students were seeking mental health resources just to make sure they are healthy to continue with their academic life. It was like getting a flu shot for your mental health. After going for a few sessions, I developed skills to understand that accepting and expressing was very important to me. I also learned to encourage others who have the same stigma of seeking mental health services to get help. 
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I wanna share The Power of Okay campaign that was created by SeeMe from Scottland to encourage employers to openly talk about mental health and support without feeling judged or discriminated against. The majority of us might experience how we SHOULD be okay because we are young to be depressed but we have experienced a bad day or some thinkings that you cannot unwind it. A simple question such as “are you okay” can help others to speak with confidence and open up about their mental health. It is so simple yet it can go such a long way for someone. For all of you who are reading this, it is okay not to be okay (From Jessie J Who U are). 
Let’s ask each other this. Are you okay?​

By: Danielle Lee

Culture matters when addressing mental health, because in order to improve an individual’s mental health, you have to understand what guides their decisions. For example, in the Native American culture, they are nomadic, which means they move with the land, because as seasons change, so do their resources. Sticking to their roots and appreciating the land so deeply, has affected the ways in which they handle the improvements of mental health. In the video Culture Matters: Indigenous Perspective on Behavioral Healthcare they mention the camp Old Minto Recovery Camp located in Alaska, where a young girl mentioned “it’s good to be out in the open because other treatments that I’ve been to, you’re locked up in a building and can’t do nothing, here you can go out and chop wood” (11:07-11:22). There was also the mention that the recovery camp was unique because an individual seeking help could bring their families with them to go through the recovery process together. What Western medicine technique has proved to be as inviting?
Understanding the importance of unity and the connection that the Native Americans have with their land can help aid Western medicine in helping to improve mental health among this community. Western medicine typically relies on the support of medications and hospital buildings or clinics. To push this pressure on a community that doesn’t seek this way of treatment can tarnish the relationship already desperately needed to be built. Instead with the understanding of culture, both Western medicine and the Native American community can team up to find a solution that addresses and improves mental health. A solution that includes being united with the land, its resources and the involvement of family and friends.

Source:
​Alonzo, D. (Director). Echo-Hawk, H. (Narrator). (2011). Culture Matters: Indigenous Perspectives on Behavioral Healthcare  [Online video]. Wide Angle Studios . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfdCaFEls_c <%22>

 By: Erica Nguyen 

I found the resources on the Office of Women’s health very helpful. I liked this resource because I am personally interested in the mental health side of women’s health. I chose to examine mental health problems such as depression and PTSD and how they impacted women disproportionately to men. This resource was extremely useful because it gave me information on how to help someone who has this mental health problem and how to approach the situation. I believe that each mental health problem is unique, and you can’t treat everyone with a mental health problem the same way as you do with another person. This resource stretched my thinking as it provided me facts about each disorder and how an individual with the disorder acts and thinks. I think this resource can bring about discussion between gender and mental health. I’ve noticed that with each mental health problem, there’s usually a social context that causes a woman to be diagnosed with it. For example, depression is caused by stress such as serious and stressful life events, or the combination of several stressful events, such as trauma, loss of a loved one, a bad relationship, work responsibilities, caring for children and aging parents, abuse, and poverty. Women are disproportionately faced with those factors listed above due to gender norms in the society that expect women to be all the factors. Because of this, society ignores the mental implications that are placed on women as they struggle to balance all these factors in their lives (perhaps with little to no social support).
            The Ted Talk by Dr Elyn Saks titled “A tale of mental illness – from the inside” also resonated with me. She was extremely vulnerable sharing her own personal story about her journey with schizophrenia. What struck a chord with me was how the hospital staff treated her first episode of schizophrenia by using physical means to get her in the hospital. Not only is that a violation of a human right but that just makes the situation worse for the individual having the episode. I think the media also plays a role in the stigma and stereotypes that we may place on individuals with mental illnesses as they are portrayed in news articles and in films/movies. This can trickle into the medical field if you are working in one and can create an internal bias that you have towards individuals with a mental illness. Dr. Elyn Saks effectively pushed and argued for more autonomy and in many cases, a restoration for basic human dignity. This also applies to human rights for all. Human rights are given yet many individuals around the world, especially girls are continuously violated and stripped of their rights. I think this talk effectively illustrates how violations of basic human rights translate into long lasting implications on an individuals’ mental health in the long run.

Sources:
Office on Women's Health. (2018, August 28). Reproductive health and mental health. Retrieved from https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/living-mental-health-condition/reproductive-health-and-mental-health
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Saks, E. (2012). A tale of mental illness -- from the inside. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/elyn_saks_a_tale_of_mental_illness_from_the_inside/up-next?language=en

Posted by Christine Nguyen

Gender in relation to mental health is important because it “affects the power and control men and women have over socioeconomic determinants, their access to resources, and their status, roles, options and treatment in society” (e.g. World Health Organization). In the article about Gender Differences & Mental Health, it mentions how depression and anxiety is a major portion linked to mental and neurological disorders. In addition, it states how gender can determine the differential power and control men and women have over their mental state, social position, and status. Depression is also the most common women’s mental health problem (e.g. WHO). This states how it is important to address the gender differences and learn more about ways to reduce stress and depression at an earlier stage. Reducing the overrepresentation of women who are depressed would contribute significantly to lessening the global burden of disability caused by psychological disorders.
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Mental health can be better understood if taking in consideration of gender differences. “There are no marked gender differences in the rates if severe mental disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that affect less than 2% of the population” (e.g. WHO). This is also a good example of being able to differentiate gender to better understand mental disorders since they are different in terms of body hormones and social acceptance. In addition, it’s a stigma to believe that individuals with mental and behavioral illnesses are unequal or inferior according to RethinkStigna. Mental health is very important especially in young adults since it is common to feel burnt-out which can lead to an unfulfilled motivation to reach financial success.

The Stigma and Discrimination article enlightened my learning about mental health and disorders. I thought it was interesting how there were so many false beliefs that revolved around the mental and behavioral disorders. One that really stood out was the stigma about how “mental and behavioral disorders are personally controllable and if individuals cannot get better on their own, they are seen to lack personal effort, are blamed for their condition, and seen as personally responsible” (e.g. RethinkStigma). It illustrates how some people are unable to understand the disorder within itself because they fail or don’t seek to gain knowledge about it. In addition, many of these stigmas relating to mental health connects to one another and as a society, people should be more openminded to educate themselves about the topic to better understand.

The second reading that stood out to me was Mental Health & Human Rights Issues Impacting Women with Mental & Physical Disability. I found it interesting how a “2004 United States survey found that only 35% of working-age persons with disabilities are in fact working, compared to 78% of those without disabilities” (Disability News & Information, n.d.). This shows how people with disabilities are still able to work and still be able to face their own challenges. Furthermore, it shows how they too can live a normal life as any other functioning person. People should be able to understand what people are able to offer before judging them based off of their appearances and mental disabilities.
 
Disability News & Information. World Facts and Statistics on Disabilities and Disability Issues. Retrieved from  http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/statistics/ (Links to an external site.)   
 
Gender and women's mental health. (2013, June 24). Retrieved February 22, 2020, from https://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/genderwomen/en/
 
Mental Health & Human Rights Issues Impacting Women with Mental & Physical Disability. Retrieved February 22, 2020, from
 (https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1369235/pages/7-dot-7-mental-health-and-human-rights-issues-impacting-women-with-mental-and-physical-disability?module_item_id=10085478

One reading that I was intrigued by is “Men’s health is better, too, in countries with more gender equality” by Liz Plank. Plank provides supporting evidence that details why men living in less gender equal countries will be more susceptible to non-communicable diseases, divorce, suicide, and other detrimental health outcomes. Iceland, being the number one gender equal country held their top position for a decade because they did not conform to the traditional notions of masculinity. This led me to reflect on the video of former School of Nursing and Health Studies, dean and professor, Dr. Allen in his clip about societal views on masculinity. He states that “all forms of popular culture produced in the U.S perpetuates a vision of masculinity as violent” (5:03). This greatly impacts the behaviors of men as they are less unable to express feelings of vulnerability like their female counterparts. Therefore, widening the gender equality gap between men and women.  
 
This reading also allowed me to reflect on my culture and upbringing. I grew up with traditional Chinese views on gender roles in which women should always be submissive to their husbands and husbands are the main breadwinners. In addition, neither genders should perform the roles and duties of the other. I used to be biased in my beliefs that gender equality is mainly a women’s issue, but am now surprised at how much of a positive impact gender equality can have on both men and women. This article serves as a reminder for me that gender equality is a human right and is critical for making communities healthier as well as promote change. Some benefits of gender equality Plank provided are less financial responsibility on men and shelter from economic shock through empowerment of women.  As we settle into a new decade, I hope that other countries view Iceland as an example for change. 
 
Another interesting read I found to my liking is the article by Cathy Sebag on “Top 3 Challenges facing global women’s health in 2019”. Plank may have stated the negative health outcomes of men due to gender inequality, however Sebag lists bigger issues facing women in today’s more patriarchal dominated system.  The top three challenges are gender based violence, empowerment within medical care, and access to care. I understand that these challenges can also affect men, but women tend to be the targets. Violence against women not only causes physical and mental stress, it can carry onto the next generation. Moreover, women were used as war instruments such as being “routinely raped at checkpoints and during interrogations” (Sebag, 2018). This is new information to me that I find carries a lot of weight and should have more attention. I find it thought provoking that no matter what socioeconomic status a woman may have, we are all vulnerable to violence. 
 
I think it is not addressed enough that women lack support from the healthcare system. What struck me here is that women in both low resource settings and high resource settings experience about the same limitations due to traditional practices and the absence of female involvement. Why should our beliefs have to align with others in order to receive the right form of care? For example, women who have unwanted unexpected pregnancies should have abortion rights. Sebag’s last point is that women in underserved populations extremely lack access to healthcare, therefore having higher mortality rates. That left me to ponder, how can we help improve access to healthcare in these populations? What stakeholders are involved? It seems so long ago that Hillary Clinton made her 1995 speech about women’s rights, but it was only 25 years ago and women’s rights still have a long way to go.
 
Posted by Nhi My Ly 

References
 
Allen, D. (2014). Dr. David Allen: Interview for BHS420. Retrieved from, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j_MCYknSqQ
 
Plank, L. (2019). Men’s health is better, too, in countries with more gender equality. Retrieved from, https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/men-s-health-is-better-too-in-countries-with-more-gender-equality-20190924-p52ulc.html
 
Sebag, C. (2018). Top 3 – Challenges facing global women’s health. Retrieved from, https://www.mobileodt.com/blog/challenges-facing-global-womens-health/