Women and Mental Health
Why is women’s mental health important?
Some mental disorders are more common in women than men, including depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.
There are also disorders unique to women. For example, some women experience symptoms of depression at times of hormone change, such as:
- During or after pregnancy (perinatal depression)
- Around the time of their period (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
- During the menopause transition (perimenopausal depression)
When it comes to other mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, research has not found sex differences in the rates at which they are diagnosed. But certain symptoms may be more common in women, and the course of illness can be affected by a person’s sex. Researchers are beginning to tease apart the various biological and psychosocial factors that may impact mental health.
Latest news
- Basic Research Powers the First Medication for Postpartum Depression
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• Feature Story
Decades of NIMH-supported basic research led to a pioneering treatment for postpartum depression and continues to power exciting advances in women's mental health care.
- Intervention Reduces Likelihood of Developing Postpartum Anxiety and Depression by More Than 70%
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• Press Release
Results from a large clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health show that an intervention for anxiety provided to pregnant women living in Pakistan significantly reduced the likelihood of the women developing moderate-to-severe anxiety, depression, or both six weeks after birth.
- Combined, High Maternal Stress and Prenatal COVID-19 Infection May Affect Attention Span in Infants
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• Media Advisory
Prenatal COVID-19 infection increased the risk for impaired attention and delayed socioemotional and cognitive functioning among infants of mothers who experienced high psychosocial stress during their pregnancy.
Health topics and resources for women
Featured health topics
- Anxiety Disorders
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Suicide Prevention
Featured brochures and fact sheets
Featured video
Watch this video to learn more about depression during the menopause transition, including signs and symptoms, causes, and treatment options. Read the transcript.
Federal resources
- Depression Among Women : The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about depression among women, including risk factors for depression and postpartum depression.
- Maternal Health : The Health Resources and Services Administration has programs and resources on maternal health, including depression during and after pregnancy.
- Moms’ Mental Health Matters : The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development offers an action plan for depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after birth.
- Maternal Morbidity & Mortality Web Portal : The NIH Office of Research on Women's Health offers resources for maternal health across the lifespan.
- Office on Women’s Health: Mental Health : The Department of Health and Human Service’s Office on Women’s Health provides information on women’s mental health.
- Women’s Health : The National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus has resources on the unique health issues women experience (en español ).
Health hotlines
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline : This Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Support is also available via live chat . Para ayuda en español, llame al 988.
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline : This hotline offers free, confidential mental health support for moms and their families before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) to connect with counselors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. English- and Spanish-speaking counselors are available.
- Disaster Distress Helpline : This helpline provides immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. The helpline is free, multilingual, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
- Veterans Crisis Line : This crisis line is a free, confidential resource for veterans of all ages and circumstances. Call 988 then press 1; text 838255; or chat online to connect with 24/7 support.
- NIH Health Info Lines
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