Prioritising Women's Mental Health: Insights and Strategies from a Therapist, Mother & Small Business Owner
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Lisa Johnston, a therapist, a mother, a wife, a friend, a daughter, a sister and a small business owner, considers Women’s Mental Health and why we need to champion women’s mental health.
Focusing today on women, we need to consider the barriers women face in seeking support to overcome mental health struggles. According to the World Health Organisation, 1 in every 5 women will experience some form of mental illness. It is thought that women are more vulnerable to mental health issues due to the many responsibilities and roles we play today, and fear of speaking up, fear of stigma and insensitivity can be some of the barriers to seeking help.
Women’s mental health must be prioritised, as neglecting it can result in intergenerational mental health concerns among the many unintentional outcomes. We need to recognise our mental health as important self-care rather than a luxury and consider mental health care as something that we should all prioritise daily rather than every so often, which can result in a spiralling effect and leaving it too late.
We might all be wearing secret capes, but nobody is superhuman.
We all get tired, scared, overwhelmed or frustrated when things don’t go to plan. It is ok to ask for help. Asking for help could be:
asking a friend or family member to meet to talk through and share your struggles
start keeping a journal - either a place to write down your worries and reframe them, to practice gratitude, or both
creating a small bit of time in your day or week to walk in nature
to take the step to speak to a trained therapist.
Qualified therapists provide a confidential space to hear us, to help us to learn coping skills and techniques to manage today, and manage life in a healthier way going forwards.
Investing in your mental self-care is investing in your current and future mental health. It is about role-modelling good mental care to those around us.
Each day we work with hundreds of therapists supporting so many to make positive changes to mental health. In my opinion, any human, whichever their gender, who does their best to look after their own and others mental health, needs championing. In such a turbulent world, I find comfort in knowing and seeing the people who are working day in and day out to help make people’s live better.
My hopes for international Womens Day and Beyond
My hope is that every person battling to overcome mental health difficulties really notices how far you have come, to know you are worthy of better and keep pushing forwards. Please know, that you are more capable than you think you are and far more worthy.
My hope for those helping others (particularly the amazing MTO therapists) realise how supportive and brilliant you are. Thank you for all the compassion you give to others. I hope you take time to take good care of you too.
I would encourage everyone to take some time to be still, reflect on what is nurturing your mental health. Consider what barriers need to be broken down in order to prioritise women’s mental health in your home, work and communities.
Be kind . Be compassionate. Be a champion of Womens mental health.
Lisa Johnston
CBT Therapist
Director of My Therapiost Online
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