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This Is What To Know About Women’s Equality Day

This Is What To Know About Women’s Equality Day

History
Mental Health

This year is the 50th anniversary of Women’s Equality Day celebrating the ratification of the 19th amendment giving white women the right to vote. Over the decades, more women of color were also included in the voting process, and the holiday was first celebrated in 1971.

In the years since women were granted the right to vote, the progress toward equality in healthcare for women — particularly mental healthcare — has been on a slow incline.

In the United States alone, more than 1 in 5 women experienced a mental health condition like anxiety or depression in the past year. Some conditions, including bipolar disorder, depression, and eating disorders, are even more common in women than men.

However, on average, 7 out of every 10 women hide or downplay their mental health symptoms. And for women worldwide who give birth, as many as 1 in 5 experience some form of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, or PMAD. Potential mental disorders for new mothers include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder, postpartum bipolar disorder, and postpartum psychosis.

Do Mental Health Disparities Exist in the U.S.?

Historically, women have always faced a harder time seeking mental healthcare — and being believed, too.

As early as 1900 BC, women have been described as suffering from “hysteria” or a wandering uterus. The medical assumption was that the female reproductive organs prevented the proper functioning of the other organs, making women more emotional.

Jump forward to the 13th century, and not much has changed for women’s mental health. Many who were persecuted as witches in Salem and around the country were often mentally ill or disobedient women. Witch hunts went on for centuries across the United States and cost approximately 10,000 women their lives.

Today, women are often not believed about their physical or mental health symptoms. The struggle to get doctors — especially male doctors — to believe women about their endometriosis pains, heart attack symptoms, or heightened anxiety is an ongoing problem nationwide.

Women often face even more hurdles than men in receiving mental healthcare. They have less representation in the field, typically earn less than their male counterparts, and have less ability to take time off from work or child care. Many women also cite the lack of awareness of mental health services available in their areas and the stigma surrounding mental healthcare as barriers to treatment.

While more women are willing to seek help than men, men are often more open to disclosing mental health issues like alcohol issues or violent trauma to their therapist. Women are constantly encouraged to put up a strong front for their friends and family, acting as a therapist, nutritionist, housekeeper, organizer, taxi driver, and so much more.

Contact Us Today

When it comes to mental health, no one can fight an uphill battle alone. If you’re a woman struggling with depression, anxiety, or any mood disorder, we’re here to help.

When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.