The Gender Divide in Mental Health

Mental health issues result from the confluence of several biological and psychosocial factors resulting in mental health being gendered. While the National Mental Health Survey of India (NMHS) (2015–2016), found the overall prevalence of mental morbidity higher in males as compared to females, stress-related and mood-related disorders disproportionately affect women. More importantly, women bear the brunt since the consequences can be far worse for them due to reasons such as lack of resources, unmet health needs, and stigma. This chapter illustrates an epidemiological overview from India highlighting this difference. It then converged upon gender-specific mental health issues such as postpartum psychiatric issues and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. In the next section, the chapter focused on various etiological factors that directly and indirectly render women more vulnerable to various mental health issues. This includes biological aspects (e.g., hormonal issues and reproductive cycle) as well as psychosocial factors (e.g., poverty, violation of basic rights, social status, sexual assault, domestic violence, and access to resources). Finally, the chapter illustrates the gender disparity in the backdrop of help-seeking and treatment protocols.