Women's Mental Health Matters
Women's mental health naturally evolves over time and is a vital part of overall well-being. Many women face challenges such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It's important to recognize these struggles and understand that support is available. Women don't have to face these challenges alone.
Women are more likely than men to experience conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, after childbirth, and menopause can all affect mental health. Understanding these natural changes can help women find the care and support they need. By focusing on their mental health, reaching out for support when needed, and talking openly with others, women can navigate these challenges more effectively and feel better supported.
Common symptoms for women with depression include sadness, tiredness, and feelings of worthlessness.
Women are more likely than men to experience anxiety together with depression, physical symptoms such as aches and pains, and changes in mood with the seasons.
Women are more likely to be affected by certain risk factors for mental health conditions than men, including experiencing poverty, surviving violence, dealing with stress at home, and being a caregiver.
What's the difference between cognitive health and mental health? Cognitive health refers to the brain’s ability to think, learn, and remember. Mental health includes emotional and psychological well-being.
Common Mental Health Symptoms in Women
If any of these symptoms appear, talk with a health care provider about treatment options:
Feeling sad or hopeless often
Mood, energy, or appetite changes
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Low energy or tiredness
Worrying too much or feeling fearful
Anger or irritability
Headaches, body aches, or stomach problems
Using alcohol or other drugs to cope
Distancing from friends or family members
Thoughts of death or self-harm
Treatment and Relief
Health care providers can connect women with mental health professionals, including therapists and psychiatrists.
Treatment options—such as therapy, medication, or a combination of both—can help women feel better.
Women who are struggling with mental health can visit https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help to connect with free, confidential support and resources.
There are also daily tips women can follow to support their mental health. However, it's important to remember that everyone's journey is unique and challenges may persist. Explore these tips below.
Everyday Tips to Support Mental Health
Get regular exercise (aim for 30 minutes most days)
Eat healthful foods and drink plenty of water
Limit caffeine and alcohol
Keep a regular sleep schedule
Try a calming activity such as meditation or deep breathing
Spend time with loved ones and stay connected socially
Set realistic goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed
Learn more about mental health and how to find support in this video from the NIH National Institute of Mental Health:
For Midlife and Older Women
Social media can also benefit women in midlife and beyond. For women ages 40 to 70, social media can:
Help them feel connected to friends and family
Provide helpful news and health information
Reduce feelings of stress, sadness, and isolation
However, there are potential downsides. For some women between the ages of 40 and 70, social media use can:
Lead to feelings of loneliness
Increase negative body image thoughts
Make them feel left out or disconnected from real-life relationships
Women of all ages should take time to reflect on how social media affects their moods and self-esteem.
Healthy Social Media Habits
There are healthy habits women can practice when using social media to get the most benefit:
Limiting their time on social media apps: Women can set time limits on their phones
Turning off notifications to stay focused
Following accounts that make them feel good and supported
Unfollowing accounts that make them feel bad about themselves
Using app settings to block accounts, words, or phrases to limit harmful content
Sharing and liking positive posts about things such as gratitude, joy, and celebration
Remembering that what people post is only part of the story; most people share only the good moments
Reporting posts that are harmful, bullying, or worrisome
Social media should make women feel more connected, not worse about themselves. Even when they make small changes in how they use it, they can help protect their mental health.
Learn more about healthy social media habits from the National Institutes of Health's NIH News in Health.
Caregiving and Mental Health
A caregiver is someone who supports another person, such as an older adult, spouse, or child. Most caregivers are women, and some women even find themselves caring for young children and aging parents at the same time.
Caregiving can be rewarding, and many caregivers feel proud to support the people they love. However, it can also be stressful. Many caregivers are unpaid and must balance caregiving with jobs, family life, and other responsibilities. As a result, caregivers are more likely to experience depression, including symptoms such as:
Isolation
Trouble sleeping
Irritability
Feelings of sadness
Over time, high stress from caregiving can also contribute to health problems, including obesity, chronic diseases, and a weakened immune system.
When caregivers take care of themselves, they are better able to take care of others.
Tips for Caregivers
To protect their mental and physical health while caring for others, women should:
Set boundaries and make time for themselves
Build a support network of family members, friends, and other caregivers
Stay physically active and maintain a balanced diet
Take care of their own mental and physical health by seeing a mental health professional and/or another health care providers
Ask for and accept help when needed
Check out the National Institute on Aging's Caregiving Toolkit, which features videos and other resources to support caregivers in their roles.
Resources to Learn More
Caring for Your Mental Health — National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health — American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Taking Care of Yourself: Tips for Caregivers — National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Wellness Resources and Strategies — National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Emotional Wellness Toolkit — National Institutes of Health (NIH)
All material contained on these pages are free of copyright restrictions and maybe copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.
Page last updated: May 9, 2025
Reference: https://womenshealth.gov/nwhw/mental-health?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
