Harmony is dedicated to supporting your mental health. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, we encourage you to reach out for immediate support through your local crisis services by dialing 988, contacting your local emergency services, or visiting your local emergency room.
Women’s mental health is influenced by many factors, including societal pressures, hormonal shifts, biological and genetic influences, caregiving roles, and sometimes, experiences of trauma. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), in 2022, the prevalence of mental health conditions in women was 26.4%. That's higher than 19.7% for men.1
At Harmony, we provide compassionate mental health services designed to support individuals of all ages who identify as women, including those within the LGBTQIA+ community. Our experienced therapists and psychiatric providers work with you to create a personalized care plan that reflects your unique needs, goals, and strengths.
Identifying roadblocks to mental health in women
While those who identify as women are more likely than men to seek mental health care, barriers to access still remain. Some of those barriers include the following:
Daily demands
Many women juggle multiple responsibilities, such as careers, home life, and community roles. This often includes caregiving for children, elderly parents, friends, or others. These demands can make it challenging to focus on personal health, especially when feelings of guilt or pressure to put others first overshadow self-care.
Financial or insurance obstacles
Even women with insurance often encounter challenges like high copays, limited mental health coverage, or difficulty finding in-network providers that meet their needs. For women in lower-income households, the cost of care can lead to delays or even skipping treatment altogether. Additionally, the expense of childcare while attending therapy can be another obstacle. At Harmony, we accept most major insurance plans and assist clients in navigating their coverage.
Fear of judgment or shame
Stigma still influences how women perceive their emotional needs. Many fear that asking for help might make them seem “weak,” “unstable,” or unappreciative of a life others might see as “good” or even “perfect.” These concerns are often reinforced by cultural, religious, or family expectations that emphasize self-sacrifice. While self-sacrifice can be admirable, constantly putting oneself last can lead to feelings of resentment or even symptoms of depression over time.
Negative experiences with past medical providers
Those who identify as women, particularly women of color, may have faced medical situations where they felt ignored or not taken seriously. Such experiences can foster mistrust in the healthcare system and hesitation to seek necessary care. Similarly, LGBTQIA+ individuals may have encountered medical professionals who failed to affirm their identities.
At Harmony, we are dedicated to providing inclusive care for both cisgender and gender-diverse individuals. Our intake team works to connect you with the right provider, while our providers prioritize personalized treatment to ensure you feel recognized, valued, and supported.
Time and energy limits
Mental health care demands more than just finding time, it requires emotional energy. Many women, already feeling overwhelmed, may struggle to begin therapy, even when they know it could be beneficial. It often feels like “one more thing” on an already packed to-do list. As a result, mental health care is often postponed, replaced by unwinding in front of the TV or scrolling through social media at the end of the day.
Harmony is dedicated to making mental health support accessible to everyone. We provide both in-person and telehealth options to fit your lifestyle.
What does women’s mental health really mean?
Good mental health in women involves the ability to handle daily stress without heavily depending on unhealthy coping mechanisms such as excessive TV watching, alcohol, or other substances. It also includes nurturing relationships while prioritizing self-care, finding relaxation without constant worry, maintaining a positive relationship with your body, and processing emotions in a healthy way instead of being overwhelmed by or detached from them.
Just like physical health, mental health can vary over time. It’s natural to feel mentally and emotionally resilient during some periods and face challenges during others. Mental wellness is influenced by many factors, including biological, social, and psychological elements. Life changes, physical health issues, social pressures, discrimination, family dynamics, and relationships all play a significant role.
Establishing healthy boundaries and receiving support can significantly enhance women’s mental well-being. Therapy can assist individuals who identify as women in building habits that safeguard their health and promote a more balanced, sustainable life.
Signs of mental wellness in women
Mental wellness isn’t about always feeling good. It’s also about recognizing your emotions, practicing self-compassion, and reaching out for support when you need it.
You understand how you feel
Recognizing and expressing your emotions is an important indicator of mental well-being. If you often struggle to determine whether you’re feeling angry, anxious, sad, or a mix of all three, it may be helpful to take a step back and reflect on what’s happening beneath the surface.
Your sleep and appetite are stable
Shifts in sleep and appetite are often early indicators of stress or depression. Skipping meals, overeating due to stress, staying up too late, or waking during the night could be signs that your mind and body are calling for support.
You are able to focus and complete tasks
Getting distracted now and then is normal. But if you’re constantly struggling to complete tasks, stay focused in conversations, or remember basic things, it could point to burnout, anxiety, or depression.
You feel emotionally connected and supported
It’s important to have one or two trusted people in your life, whether it’s a partner, sibling, friend, or coworker. Building emotional connections can help you manage stress and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Your coping skills empower you rather than drain you
The term “wine mom” has become a pop-culture phrase that glamorizes drinking wine after work as a way to unwind or cope with the challenges of parenting. However, this habit only provides temporary relief without addressing the underlying issues. Healthier ways to cope could include activities like exercising, reaching out to a friend, journaling, or setting boundaries to create more time and space for yourself to relax.
Building routines and habits that support better mental health can often feel out of reach for many women. But the reality is that prioritizing mental wellness isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential. At Harmony, we recognize how critical it is for women to put their mental health first. That’s why we collaborate with our clients to develop personalized treatment plans that fit their schedules and individual needs.
Mental health conditions commonly experienced by women
Women are more frequently diagnosed with depression and anxiety, yet their symptoms are more likely to be overlooked or dismissed. Mental health conditions look different for everyone. However, there are some commonalities across a variety of women from different backgrounds, age ranges, and experiences:
- Depression: Women are twice as likely to experience depression, often due to hormonal changes, trauma, and the pressures of work or home life.
- Anxiety disorders: Anxiety in women often presents as worry, irritability, sleep disturbances, and panic attacks.
- Perinatal mental health: Perinatal mental health covers a range of issues that can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth, beyond just postpartum depression. This can include anxiety, obsessive thoughts, or mood swings that disrupt daily life.
- Postpartum depression (PPD): This type of depression affects up to one in seven women after childbirth.2 Women may experience a range of challenging or distressing thoughts during PPD.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This is often the result of sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or other forms of interpersonal violence.
- Eating disorders: Although not limited to women, these disorders are more common among women and are often linked to control, perfectionism, or feelings of shame.
Women, particularly women of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals, often face challenges like delayed diagnoses or having their symptoms dismissed due to biases in medical and mental health care. Harmony prioritizes making every client feel valued and supported. Together, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan that starts with your needs and helps you achieve your goals.
When women lack the support they deserve
Constantly pushing through tough days without prioritizing your well-being can lead to increased stress, feelings of isolation, and potential physical health issues. Therapy provides a supportive space to navigate the challenges of balancing a career, community responsibilities, friendships, family, and daily tasks. With the right guidance, you can build the tools to take care of yourself while being there for others.
In more severe cases, untreated mental health issues can result in suicidal thoughts, which are more common than many might think. Identifying these conditions early and seeking help can not only improve your life, but it can save it.
Raising awareness about women’s mental health is only the first step. Make the decision today to learn more and take action. Seeking professional support gives you a trusted partner to share openly and honestly with. A strong treatment plan will help you set goals and provide the tools needed to achieve them.
Discover your personalized journey to women’s health with Harmony today
Harmony provides personalized therapy, psychiatric medication management, and advanced treatments like Spravato® and NeuroStar® TMS. Our experienced team is dedicated to supporting women from all backgrounds. We’re also proud to be in-network with most major insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, making it easier to access care tailored to your needs. To find out more about our services, call 304.410.0082.
For new clients, please click here to schedule an appointment. For existing clients, please click here and find your office location to contact your office directly.
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