Mental health in social context

Mental health and wellbeing is not just about personal emotions or relationships. It is closely tied to the larger society we live in. For us to truly feel well, society must provide fair chances to everyone, in areas like education, work, and housing. These are fundamental to our mental health.

Feeling appreciated in our community is essential. When we are recognised and our contributions are valued, our confidence grows. Feeling connected to others, having friends, and taking part in group activities help us feel we belong. This is very good for our mental health.

But society does not always treat older women fairly. Some may feel they are ignored or less important because of their age and gender. This can make many women feel lonely and sad, leading to high levels of unhappiness. And it’s essential to remember that safety is paramount: studies show that preventing violence against women is the most crucial step in ensuring good mental health.

To truly support the wellbeing of older women, our society must:

Give everyone equal access to education, jobs, housing, and health services
Help women stay connected, make friends, and join group activities
Value and respect older women, so we can lead happy, full lives

By addressing these, we pave the way for a healthier, happier future for older women.

References

ANROWS (2020). Violence against women and mental health. Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, Sydney.

Bryant, Judd, F. K., & Hickey, M. (2012). Anxiety during the menopausal transition: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 139(2), 141–148.

Critchley C (2017) It’s a fact: women get better with age. Pursuit, University of Melbourne, Melbourne.

El Khoudary, S.R., Greendale, G., Crawford, S.L., Avis, N.E., Brooks, M.M., Thurston, R.C., Karvonen-Gutierrez, C., Waetjen, L.E. & Matthews, K. (2019). The menopause transition and women's health at midlife. Menopause, 26(10), 1-15.

Feldman S, Radermacher H (2019) Vital conversations: giving older women in greater Melbourne a voice. Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Melbourne.

Kirkman M, Fisher J (2021) Promoting older women’s mental health: Insights from Baby Boomers. PLoS ONE. 16(1).

Kulkarni J (2018) Perimenopausal depression - an under-recognised entity. Aust Prescr. 41(6), 183-185.

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (2021) Snapshot of mental health and suicide prevention statistics for LGBTIQ+ people. Sydney.

MCWH (2021) Submission into the Inquiry into Support for Older Victorians from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health, Melbourne.

Stathi, A., Fox, K. R., Withall, J., Bentley, G., & Thompson, J. L. (2014). Promoting physical activity in older adults: a guide for local decision makers. Avon Network for the Promotion of Active Ageing in the Community.

Mental health in social context

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