Why Psychological Therapy is the Answer at Any Stage of Life

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KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• 71% of mental health posts/videos on Instagram and Tik Tok were misleading, erroneous, or inaccurate, based on a recent study
• More women overall report high to very high levels of psychological distress and burnout. 
• Women are expected to "do/have it all," which can impact their mental health. 

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Women and Mental Health Across the Lifespan 

Mental health issues affect people differently, and addressing them from a gender point of view can be challenging. Women's experiences with mental health are influenced by various factors such as genetics, biology, age, culture, and society.

However, certain mental health problems are more prevalent in women, and they can shift across stages of life. This article explores mental health issues affecting women across different stages of life and how psychological therapy can help.

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Girls During The School Years

Preventative mental health education is crucial for children and young people. Coping with academic stress, bullying, eating disorders, sexual abuse, sexual assault, and harassment can have long-term mental health impacts. 

Young people are turning to social media for answers and support with mental health issues, but a recent study found that 71% of mental health posts/videos on Instagram and Tik Tok were misleading, erroneous, or inaccurate.

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Adult Women – Working, Family, and Well-being

Adult women of working age experience all manner of stressors, including balancing education, work, family, social commitments, finances, and household duties. Women are expected to "do/have it all," which can impact their mental health. 

More women overall report high to very high levels of psychological distress and burnout.

Women account for higher occurrences of some mental health concerns such as:

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• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Work stress
• Inequity
• Insomnia from work-related stress
• Bullying
• Discrimination in the workplace
• Family, domestic, and sexual violence
• Reproductive-related mental health issues
• Relationship struggles

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Older Women – Aging Populations and Mental Health

As people age, their ability to maintain physical, mental, and social health can be hindered. 

Older women may have to deal with stressors such as:

• Changes to their bodies and primary health
• Social or physical isolation resulting in loneliness
• Personal loss and grief
• Loss of financial independence after working age
• Preconceived stigmas and beliefs about mental health in old age

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Depression due to illness and personal loss, loneliness, poor physical activity and nutrition, grief and loss, fear of loss of independence, and financial stress in retirement are some of the mental health concerns affecting older women.

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Why Psychological Therapy is the Answer at Any Stage of Life

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Psychological therapy can help women of all ages deal with mental health issues. At Centre For Health & Performance Vaughan, we support women by designing healthcare and mental health care services that are inclusive, diverse, and customized to each individual. 

We break the bias, challenge stigmas, myths, and misconceptions about women's mental health. We provide healthcare and mental health care services from the perspective of a multidisciplinary team. 

We talk openly about women's mental health, connect them with the care and services available, create positive connections in the community, model positive wellbeing and support, and create a supportive environment within the clinic. We believe that there is no health without mental health.