Mental illness embodies various diseases that impact behavior, thinking and mood. These mental conditions adversely affect a person’s ability to function successfully daily. Some of these conditions include mood disorders, which consist of bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, eating problems and schizophrenia. Depression is a common mental health disease that pushes people to lose interest in activities over long periods (WHO, 2023). Depression impacts a person’s work life, relationships and ability to function every day. Statistics indicate that 3.8% of the world’s population suffers from depression, and women are the most vulnerable population (WHO, 2023). Besides, 10% of pregnant and postpartum women have depression. Suicide is one of the consequences of depression, and statistics show that 700000 persons die annually (WHO, 2023). Depression is considered the fourth most deadly illness among the youth. Although there are effective treatments for depression, most people in impoverished regions lack adequate access because of the stigma surrounding mental illness, inadequate physicians and limited resources.
Depression among Women
Depression among women is a crucial health problem with significant adversaries for individuals and the general community. Women are prone to depression because they have unique social, hormonal and biological experiences. Mainly, after childbirth, some women encounter depression, which is known as post-traumatic depression, because the progesterone and estrogen hormones decline (NIH, 2023). This results in chemical changes in the woman’s brain that may spark mood problems. Besides, many new mothers find it challenging to get adequate rest after giving birth. Although mental health awareness has been promoted, depression continues to persist as a health issue among women (NIH, 2023). This has detrimental impacts on women’s lives. For instance, women with depression experience problems in their wellbeing, relationships, workplace and education progress. Besides, depression in pregnancy can result in negative impacts such as congenital abnormalities, premature birth and low birth weight. The socioeconomic determinants of health play a fundamental part in comprehending and managing depression among women. The environmental, economic and social aspects, including social support networks, socioeconomic status and availability of healthcare services, impact the prevalence of depression among women (NIH, 2023). For this reason, the mediation strategies must emphasize managing systemic inequalities and improving individual behaviors.
Prevention programs based in the community have been found to decrease depression levels. Some of these community strategies to avert depression among women consist of sex education programs, the introduction of physical exercise programs and career training sessions. Mainly, sex education programs are vital because they touch on reproductive health and other subjects such as self-esteem, communication and relationships. Through sex education programs, women can learn to develop healthy relationships, build self-esteem and acquire knowledge about mental health (Liu et al., 2022). Career training sessions are integral because they provide women opportunities for social connection, empowerment, and personal growth. When women partake in career efforts, they can elevate their self-esteem and distract themselves from depressive symptoms.
SMART Health Goals
The population of women in America is the focus of the health promotion initiative. The central goal of the program is to increase the number of women accessing mental health support services for depression (Liu et al., 2022). This is by establishing support groups and platforms offering counselling services customized to satisfy the individual needs of women suffering from depression. These services will provide support and create a haven for women to share their encounters, obtain services for treating their illnesses successfully and learn coping mechanisms.
Restoring mental health support groups and counseling programs can aid in accomplishing this objective by offering women with depression the chance to relate with others encountering the same issues and get help from experienced health experts. Besides, creating awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health problems in society can inspire more women to acquire assistance and guidance for their depression (Liu et al., 2022). The primary objective is to promote the overall health and quality of life for women with depression in society through increasing access to mental health services. Mainly, these services include offering women access to social support groups that help women share their experiences and learn some coping strategies beneficial in managing their depression.
It is imperative to underscore how the collaboration between local people, community organizations and health organizations will assist in implementing the interventions and helping women suffering from depression deal with it and lead a satisfying life. Society can develop a healthy and supportive environment for women with depression by promoting mental health interventions.
Conclusion
Mental health illness, particularly depression among women, is a health issue that requires immediate action. Many women, due to their unique social, hormonal, and biological experiences, suffer depression, which adversely impacts their work life, relationships and overall health. To continue to reduce the adverse consequences of depression among women in America, mental health services must be made accessible. Women need mental health services to help them manage depression. Through these services, women can get adequate support where they learn coping strategies and access resources such as support groups that help them interact with others with the same problem and learn how to build their self-esteem and confidence.
References
Liu, X., Wang, S., & Wang, G. (2022). Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression in women: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 31(19-20), 2665-2677. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16121
NIH. (2023). Depression in Women: 4 Things to Know. Retrieved from National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women#:~:text=Research%20suggests%20that%20depression%20is,%2C%20hormonal%2C%20and%20social%20experiences.
WHO. (2023). Depressive disorder (depression). Retrieved from World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression#:~:text=Depressive%20disorder%20(also%20known%20as,and%20feelings%20about%20everyday%20life.
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