Women’s Mental Health

Sept. 18, 2025 | According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than one in five women in the United States have experienced a mental health condition in the past year, such as depression or anxiety. Some mental disorders are more common in women than men, including anxiety disorders, depression and eating disorders. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is hosting a forum on women’s mental health on October 2, featuring experts who will discuss the latest approaches to addressing this growing concern. The Women’s Mental Health Forum, which will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, is open to the public and medical professionals and will include workshops on topics related to helping women of all ages deal with mental health issues. For more information about the Women’s Mental Health Forum, visit https://uams.health/mentalhealthforum.

Sept. 18, 2025 | If you are a woman experiencing a change in your thoughts, behaviors, or moods that is interfering with your work or relationships for longer than two weeks, you may have a mental health condition. It can be difficult to tell whether you have a mental health condition if you feel sadness, anxiety, or other intense emotions most of the time. The symptoms of a mental health condition can include extreme anxiety most of the time, feelings of hopelessness about everything, or drug or alcohol abuse. If you are in any doubt about your mental health, reach out to your doctor or nurse, a mental health professional, or a trusted loved one for help. Many women with mental health conditions may feel self-conscious talking about mental health or may think that it’s a sign of weakness. But mental health conditions are health problems just like physical illnesses, and getting help when you need it is actually a sign of strength.

Sept. 18, 2025 | After a dangerous or scary event, it is normal to feel upset, afraid, and anxious. For most people, these feelings fade within a few weeks. But some people continue to have these feelings for months or years afterward. They may keep reliving the event and avoid items and places that might remind them of what happened. This is called post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Women are about twice as likely as men to develop PTSD in their lifetimes, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Many people with PTSD have other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. Getting treatment for PTSD, whether its counseling or medication or both, and any other mental health conditions will help you get better. Treatment for PTSD works best when you and your doctor know about the effects of other mental health conditions and take steps to treat them at the same time.

Sept. 18, 2025 | Some women get the “baby blues,” feelings of sadness, exhaustion or worry within a few days of giving birth. If these feelings don’t go away or you feel sad, hopeless, or anxious for longer than two weeks, you may have postpartum depression. Dr. Hannah Williams of the UAMS Women’s Mental Health Program says feeling hopeless after childbirth is not an expected part of being a mother. If you are a new mother experiencing these symptoms, working with a health care professional is a good way to create a plan that will work for you. Counseling or therapy sessions with a mental health professional can help you understand and cope with your emotions and challenges. Joining a support group of others experiencing feelings like yours can provide comfort and understanding. Dr. Williams says antidepressants can help relieve the symptoms of depression and some can be taken while you’re breastfeeding.

Sept. 18, 2025 | Abuse, whether physical, emotional or sexual, can have long-term effects on your mental health. Trauma can affect how you feel about yourself and how you relate to others. Women who have gone through abuse have a higher risk of developing a mental health condition such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Trauma and abuse are never your fault. You can get help to heal the physical, mental, and emotional scars of trauma and abuse. Symptoms caused by abuse or trauma can usually be treated with different types of talk therapy, medicine, or both. Therapy with a professional counselor can help you work through your feelings and learn healthy ways to cope. Medicines might include antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicine. Today, complementary mind and body therapies, such as mindfulness and yoga, may be offered along with traditional treatments such as medicines and therapy.