Research has surfaced that show a growing number of women suffering from mental health issues

ABC NEWS (Australia)

New research has shed light on the growing number of Australian women suffering from mental health issues. A survey found those with female-specific physical health conditions, experience severe mental distress at almost double the rate of women in the general population. It's prompted calls for the federal health minister to prioritise gender-informed care.

Transcript

00:00From the outside, a mum and daughter share a simple afternoon.

00:07But for Belinda Clark, these moments of connection have been hard won.

00:12After three traumatic births, a dangerous infection and a chronic illness,

00:16her mental health began to fracture.

00:19It felt like I was in a black hole and honestly like I wanted to die.

00:23And that's, I can only say, because now I already get myself worked up regarding it.

00:27That's literally how it felt.

00:29New research by women's health charity, the LipTember Foundation,

00:33found more than half of Australian women are living with mental health issues.

00:38And women facing female-specific conditions like birth trauma, endometriosis or gynaecological cancers

00:46are significantly more likely to struggle.

00:49The research included a survey of 7,000 women that found the most prevalent mental health issues

00:56were depression, anxiety, body image issues, sleep disorders and health anxiety.

01:03Women with physical postpartum conditions and mental health issues

01:07had extremely high rates of perinatal anxiety at 51% and perinatal psychosis at 19%.

01:16The leading triggers for mental illness in women this year are low self-esteem,

01:20which is 50% of women are citing that as their main trigger,

01:24followed by financial pressures, low self-worth as well as sleep deprivation.

01:30The top reason women are not seeking help is believing their mental health issues are not serious enough.

01:36Belinda Clark received support after the birth of her second son, but wishes it had come sooner.

01:42I think what I needed back then, first and foremost, was to be heard.

01:47The foundation is calling for a range of recommendations,

01:50including mental health care that's integrated into women's physical health services,

01:55screening of new mums and menopausal women for mental illness,

01:59and better training for doctors to understand women's health.

02:03The recommendations will be presented to the Federal Health Minister and Canberra next week.

02:09Well done. Oh, you also got it that way.

02:12You got it both.

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