PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER, HEALTH, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
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unRAVELLING THE MULTIFACETED ISSUE SURROUNDING MENTAL HEALTH AMONG WOMEN

2/23/2020

8 Comments

 
Picture
Photo by Leonard J Matthews on Flickr
 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
​
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


8 Comments
Stephanie Cruz
2/23/2020 05:34:40 pm

Hey Erica,

Thank you for your post. When I read that PTSD is more commonly found in women I was shocked and I too felt that I learned a lot on where and how to find resources on mental health as well. I feel likes its important for all of us to be informed on how to approach those are going through mental illness's because its more common then we think

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Lauren Toth
2/23/2020 07:06:20 pm

Hey Erica,

I loved the image you used with your post! The bright colors grabbed my attention, and it seems the images are representing different feelings and I like it. I also like the correlation you made between mental health and gender. Women commonly do bear the brunt of so many different situations and motions of the day to day.

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Caitlin Wort
2/23/2020 07:16:23 pm

Erica,

The photo you used with your post really drew me in and intrigued me into reading your post. I agree with your statement about the fact that each person's mental health is a unique case and that each person cannot be treated the same for mental illness. I find it so disheartening that women's mental health can so easily be affected due to society and their body image.

Reply
Hannah Berg
2/23/2020 07:45:06 pm

Hi Erica,
Thank you for providing a great explanation to the oppressive forces that keep women from controlling their life choices. I really appreciate how you gave a great summary at the end that emphasizes just how far reaching these negative perceptions are that ultimately affect people's livelihoods. When we see misinformed assumptions present in health care settings not only does it indicate sorely lacking compassion and empathy, but ultimately care is compromised and personal experiences are disregarded. Those that fall lower on the social ladder are taken advantage of and have to cope with the consequences which only further engages mental stressors. Following this course, it makes you think that how we proceed in this system is exactly the opposite of the original health care belief model. Therefore, when these systems can't properly advocate for basic human rights, a serious readjustment must be enacted and dialogue to raise awareness/ advocating for change is in order.

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Nhi My Ly
2/23/2020 09:45:38 pm

Hi Erica, I liked how you provided examples for the mental health illnesses. It is true that all mental health should be treated differently because they are unique from one another. I remember from my brain and behavior class last quarter that different mental health illnesses affect different parts of the brain and have various neurotransmitters involved. I think there is not enough intervention with mental health in our society, especially for the homeless population as well as women and people with mental health illnesses are often overlooked. This led me to remember a recent event in the news about a women who was locked up for a psychotic episode, but died in her cell because nobody treated her. I hope people start to understand the complexities of mental health to prevent issues like these from happening.

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Lena Angelica Camacho
2/24/2020 12:01:40 am

Hi Erica,
I also find the resource of the Office of Women's Health super helpful as well because I feel as women we usually don't care of ourselves physically or mentally like we should. Especially with the topic of postpartum depression I believe goes unnoticed most of the time and new mothers don't get the help they really need in such a sensitive times of their lives.

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Savannah Compton
2/24/2020 02:56:31 am

Hello Erica,
Thank you for sharing. Mental Health is an issue that should not be overlooked. So many people suffer from it especially they suffer from depression. Depression can be caused by so many things such as stress or loss of loved ones. I see depression surrounding people. I see depression on the daily in different people. Working in a pharmacy it is so hard not too. Mostly everyone that comes into the pharmacy are on some sort of anti-depression medication. It is sad to see that so many people suffer with a mental illness. Society should recognize that this is a huge issue and that it can be helped and not just pushed aside and ignored.

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Dezha S.
2/29/2020 03:32:19 pm

Hi Erica,

I agree with you that media does play a huge role with the kind of stigma and stereotypes placed on individuals with an mental illness not only negatively impacting those facing the actual illness but it also plays a role on how those without any mental illness choose to react to and treat those with an mental illness due to lack of understand, awareness and education on how to best support and be there for your loved ones during their time in need.

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