Feminism and Mental Health


Women are 40% more likely than men to develop a mental health illness. Women are 75% more likely to be depressed, and 60% more likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder. They are twice as likely to experience an eating disorder.

Why do women seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to mental health? Blame cultural pressures. Women are taught at an early age that their value is dependent on how they look or behave. Young girls learn to conceal what they want to disguise with makeup. Magazines, even those marketed towards teen girls, are filled with thin, beautiful women and endless articles that contain tips for slimming down and ways to keep your man happy. We are taught to hide what others could perceive as a flaw in order to maintain the attention of others or to not be ostracized. We are taught that if we are in any way different from the cookie cutter version of a woman, that has been created by the male gaze, then we are worthless unless we change.

At school and at work we are told that we should be meek and not ambitious and outgoing. We should know our place, which is usually behind a man. We are taught that if we are assertive and go after what we want that we are bitchy. Girls learn to listen instead of lead. We are scared to speak up and as a result we suppress our ideas. This is self-deprecating. Societal pressures cause us to constantly censor ourselves, police our bodies and doubt ourselves. We make ourselves disappear. There is a large amount of shame, anxiety and disappointment that goes along with our disappearance.

Those are just a few of the reasons why women suffer from mental health issues more than men do. Those reasons are also just some of the reasons why mental health is a feminist issue.


There is for sure a connection between sexism and women's mental health. Here are some other ways that women's mental health isn't taken seriously:

We Get Called "Crazy"

We all know the stereotype of the "crazy" woman. And wow is it sexist. Labeling every woman who has a mental health condition as crazy is ridiculous. Furthermore, labeling any woman who doesn't conform to your idea of how a woman should act as crazy is equally ridiculous. We deserve polite, informed responses to our mental health condition, not your old school label that addresses an imagined irrational aspect of our gender.

Feminism Is Not A Mental Illness

It's nuts that we have to even talk about this but men's activist groups continue to peddle this bullshit so here we go. I am not unwell because I believe in the fundamental equality of women. I am not hallucinating the patriarchy and the gender discrimination problem we are still dealing with. And no, I am not delusional or suffering from a persecution complex about men. I am a proud woman and feminist and my thoughts and feelings are valid. I may be suffering from a mental illness but it sure as hell isn't feminism. 

My Brain Isn't Weak

Good Lord this is an oldie isn't it? People are actually still on board with the long-standing belief that women's brains are easily overtaxed and shouldn't be burdened with too much or else she will break down. That is just not true. While it is true that women are predisposed to certain mental health conditions, we have to consider if it is less because of genetics and more because of the serious challenges and stresses that we face everyday as women. To imply that I am mentally ill or incapable of something because of my weaker brain isn't just wrong, it's very insulting.

I'm Not Being Overdramatic

Another popular stereotype about women is that we exaggerate. There seems to be a widespread belief that due to our gender, we are unable to express ourselves with reasonable accuracy. It all comes from the age old tale that women are chaotic and emotional and that the ordered, reasonable man has to deal with them. Men's responses are viewed as more competent, rational and professional than female ones. Obviously it is an illusion but it is still very powerful and has an impact on women's lives. Also, the idea that emotion is somehow inferior to rational thought, has been created by our society and is dangerous. Women deserve to be taken seriously because what we have to say is important too.

Patriarchy Problems

Misogyny causes mental health problem in women in many ways. Sexist thinking about women's mental health has sometimes led to a misdiagnosis, shaming and other issues. Also, women are under immense societal pressure via gender-enforced roles, and that can cause emotional damage. Think about it: women are expected to function successfully as a carer, homemaker, and breadwinner all while being pretty, perfectly shaped and impeccably dressed. And we can't complain, be exhausted or show any signs of breaking because then we run the risk of being "crazy." Women are paid less, their housework and childcare is undervalued, they have to work harder to advance in their careers, they have to wear multiple hats and are bombarded with images of "female perfection" a billion times a day. Of course there are emotional costs.

And of course, I understand, respect and value to the fact that men also suffer from mental health conditions. I also know that the patriarchy contributes to their emotional well-being as too. Men are taught not to show emotion because it isn't manly. That's a lot of pent up feelings and shame because you have feelings. No wonder there are such high rates of male suicide.

But we have to realize that sexist, biased and outdated responses to women's mental health are totally unacceptable. Women deserve to be heard, listened to, helped and understood just as much as men do. Women shouldn't have to put up with all of this sexism when it comes to our mental health. Not only is it not fair, as you just read, we already have enough to deal with.

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