Fiona Wylie examines the disparities between men’s and women’s mental health and emphasises the necessity of recognising these gender variations in the workplace and policy-making when establishing initiatives to support mental wellbeing
Mental health affects everyone, but women experience it differently from men due to a combination of biological, societal, and workplace factors. Hormonal shifts, alongside the pressures of balancing careers and caregiving, shape how women manage their mental wellbeing throughout their lives. Key life stages, such as menopause, are often overlooked despite their significant impact on women’s mental health.
How women’s mental health differs from men’s
While both men and women face mental health challenges, their responses to work demands, such as workload and time pressures, tend to differ. Research indicates that women are more likely to experience conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, often linked to hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Men tend to externalise emotional struggles, which can lead to behaviours like substance abuse or aggression. In contrast, women are more likely to internalise stress, contributing to the higher prevalence of mood disorders. In a Weston et al. (2019) study, no significant difference was found in depressive symptoms for men working fewer or longer hours or weekends. However, women working 55 or more hours per week, or on most weekends, reported significantly more depressive symptoms. These differences are shaped not only by biological factors but also by societal pressures, such as being the primary caregiver while maintaining a career, adding to the mental burden many women carry.
The role of biology in women’s mental health
Biology plays a key role in shaping women’s mental health. Hormonal changes throughout life – during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause – can significantly affect emotional wellbeing. For many women, hormonal fluctuations contribute to mood swings, anxiety, or even depression.
Menopause, in particular, often brings emotional challenges that go beyond physical symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats. The drop in oestrogen can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and even depression, yet these mental health implications are rarely discussed in depth.
Additionally, menopause-related sleep disturbances and memory issues can intensify feelings of stress or anxiety. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is another example of how hormonal changes can profoundly impact women’s emotional health. Unlike typical PMS, PMDD leads to severe mood disturbances, irritability, and depressive symptoms, clearly demonstrating the vital link between hormonal cycles and mental wellbeing.
Mental health in the workplace
In the workplace, mental health challenges can be particularly pronounced for women. Many juggle professional responsibilities alongside personal caregiving duties, resulting in chronic stress and burnout. The pressure to excel at both work and home often leaves little room for self-care, ultimately impacting mental wellbeing.
The notion that women can ‘have it all’ is misleading without the necessary balance, and the lack of such balance frequently leads to declining mental health. Workplace inequality further compounds the issue. Women are more likely to experience pay disparities, discrimination, or microaggressions, all of which contribute to feelings of inadequacy, frustration, or imposter syndrome.
A study by Rivera-Torres et al. (2013) found that women tend to respond more negatively to high work demands, such as excessive workload and time pressures, compared to men. These pressures, coupled with societal expectations to be the primary caregiver, exacerbate stress levels and impact mental health. Additionally, there is still a stigma attached to openly discussing mental health struggles in many workplaces, particularly for women navigating menopause. Fearing that talking about these issues may affect their professional reputation, many remain silent, which only exacerbates the problem.
The archaic workday: failing to accommodate mental health
The traditional 9-to-5 workday and the five-day workweek are no longer fit for purpose in a world where mental health needs more flexibility. This rigid structure doesn’t account for the biological realities that many women face throughout their lives. Hormonal fluctuations, whether linked to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause, can have a profound impact on mood, energy levels, and mental wellbeing. For example, during certain phases of the menstrual cycle, women might experience heightened anxiety, fatigue, or irritability due to hormonal shifts.
Menopause, in particular, brings significant changes such as osteoporosis, muscle and joint aches, sleep disruptions, and mood disorders, all of which make it challenging for women to maintain consistency within a rigid work schedule. Without flexibility, women are left to manage their health while trying to meet the same professional demands, often leading to burnout and decreased mental health.
The unmet needs in women’s mental health
Despite the growing focus on mental health, there are still notable gaps in how women’s mental health – particularly around menopause – is supported. The emotional and psychological challenges in the workplace of menopause are under-researched and under- supported. Many women go through this life stage with minimal mental health resources despite the clear connection between menopause and mental wellbeing in the workplace. Whilst conversations are happening, there’s still a long way to go. There are a few stories in the news, and people think it’s sorted or making progress, but that’s not the case.
At the policy level, there’s an urgent need for more targeted support. Workplaces must play a central role by adopting more flexible working arrangements and fostering a greater understanding of how menopause affects women. Policies that are inclusive of these challenges could significantly improve mental health outcomes for women and men, allowing them to both continue thriving professionally while managing their health.
The change we need
Improving women’s mental health requires a more tailored approach. The first step is to recognise the distinct biological, societal, and workplace pressures that women face. Addressing the mental health challenges associated with key life stages, like menopause, can help bridge the gaps in mental health care and create work policies that better support women throughout their lives.
More research is also essential to understand the impact of hormonal changes on mental health across a woman’s life in the workplace. As Burke (2002) highlights, there’s a need for more comprehensive studies on how work conditions, beyond managerial roles, affect women’s health and wellbeing. By including diverse work environments in future research, we can better grasp the broader relationship between work, social class, and health.
It’s time for workplaces to create a culture of openness around mental health, with policies that enable women to manage their wellbeing without fear of judgment or career repercussions.
