Women, mental wellness and the power of speaking out

It’s 3am, and Sarah is lying awake — again. Her body feels foreign, her thoughts race, and beneath the restlessness is a dull ache of anxiety she can’t quite identify. 

She was told it was “just hormonal.” 

Really?

Sarah’s story is not unusual, but it’s not often told.

Mental Health Awareness Week (Monday May 12th to Sunday 18th) is our chance to change that. 

There can be a huge impact of women’s specific health conditions on mental health.

Because mental health isn’t just in your head. It’s in your hormones, so it’s in every cell in your body, it’s in your relationships, and your right to thrive at every stage of life.

Women and serious mental illness: a hidden story

While severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and OCD affect both men and women, women often face unique challenges in how these conditions are experienced, diagnosed, and treated. 

Hormonal shifts, during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, can influence symptoms, and women are more likely to face stigma or have their concerns dismissed as “emotional.” 

As a result, many women living with serious mental illness feel invisible within mainstream mental health conversations. 

Mental Health Awareness Week is a chance to ensure every woman’s experience is acknowledged, respected, and supported.

Why women’s mental health deserves more attention

We talk a lot about menopausal hot flushes and hormone levels. But how often do we talk about the mental and emotional toll? About the sleepless nights, plummeting self-esteem, or the silent grief many women feel when their bodies — and relationships — begin to shift?

In the UK, one in four people experience a mental health issue each year, and women are disproportionately affected by anxiety, depression, and stress, particularly in midlife. 

And then you add in:

• The emotional impact of vaginal dryness and/or painful sex
• The social stigma around ageing and sexuality
• The pressure to keep going —at work, at home, in caregiving roles — despite it all

It becomes clear that mental health support must speak directly to women’s lived realities.

What this week Is all about

Mental Health Awareness Week, led by organisations like Rethink Mental Illness, is about opening up conversations, especially around under-recognised conditions and experiences.

 As Rethink says: “It’s time to move the conversation forward — to include everyone affected by mental illness and highlight what needs to change.”

That includes women going through menopause, those living with complex mental health diagnoses, and anyone who has ever been told (often by themselves) to “just get on with it.”

How you can support your mental health this week

Whether you’re in the thick of hormonal changes or simply craving more peace and balance, this week is a chance to pause and ask: What do I need right now?

Here are some ideas for you:

• Give yourself grace – menopause and midlife aren’t just physical, they’re emotional journeys too. You’re allowed to slow down.
• Break the silence – whether it’s about mental health or vaginal dryness, sharing your story helps dismantle shame, and can feel like a massive relief. Check out the women’s health awareness and storytelling website www.everywomanday.com
• Join a women’s health workshop – many communities host events on topics like menopause and mental wellbeing.
• Prioritise pleasure – yes, even now. Sensual self-care, intimacy aids, and pelvic health tools can rebuild confidence and connection.
• Use your voice – post, comment, or simply listen to others using #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and #MenopauseMatters.

Let’s build a future where women are fully seen

This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s go beyond hashtags and headlines to recognise how physical changes like menopause intersect with emotional wellbeing. 

Let’s name the real issues: the vaginal dryness, the mood dips, the loss of libido, the identity shifts and the weight of any diagnosis that still carries stigma, whether that be women’s health or conditions that can affect anyone.

And let’s makes space for all women to feel heard, understood, and empowered.

When women feel safe to speak up, seek help, and support one another, we don’t just improve mental health, we reclaim our power.

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek2025 #MenopauseMatters #WomensMentalHealth #EndTheStigma #VaginalHealthAwareness