Happy International Women’s Day from Power to Live. We at Power to Live firmly support the fight against gender inequality and believe in the importance of health equity. But what does fighting for health equity mean?
It means
Opposing stereotypes and prejudice against women that paints them as hysterical, irrational and undermines their mental health concerns.
Reducing barriers that stop women from accessing the mental health care that they deserve.
Taking women's health concerns seriously and making sure they feel valued and listened to as equals when receiving treatment.
Fighting for female health care workers to be treated, valued and paid as equals to their male counterparts.
Now, and every day, the fight for gender equality goes on. Because women often bear the brunt of certain mental health problems.
Girls as young as 5 struggle with body dysmorphia. We have seen the impact social media has forcing young girls to believe they must have the “perfect” body and reach unrealistic standards that can lead to low self-esteem, eating disorders and even self-harm. 1 in 4 teenage girls will self-harm before they leave school. Women’s bodies are treated as commodities by society and something that women can be judged by rather than their achievements, uniqueness or intelligence
It is not just young women who suffer from the problems of gendered health inequalities. More than 1 in 10 women suffer from postnatal depression. Older women are often demonised, vilified and discarded by patriarchal forces in society. Gendered ageism means older women are more likely to suffer from poverty and social exclusion. This means they are often vulnerable to mental health problems such as loneliness, anxiety and depression.
At Power to Live, we understand the importance of women in mental health. We our lucky to be a female-led charity as seen with both our CEO, Tien Kuei and COO, Kelsey Wiemer. All of our senior therapists are women and this gives us a unique perspective in understanding the specific issues women face when it comes to their mental health. We believe in the importance of behavioural therapy in changing unhealthy behaviours and allowing you to take control of your life. We believe in empowerment as the way to help all our clients reach their true potential.
If you struggle with mental health issues, it can be helpful to reach out for support. Talk to a trusted friend or family member, seeking support from a mental health professional or joining a support group. Power to live Foundation is a charity that offers low-cost behavioural therapy that focuses on helping you take back control of your life.