Hey, it’s Alessandra, Barbara, and Jessica on the Dóchas blog here to talk about Women’s History Month! The month of March is Women’s History Month, and on March 8, 2023, we celebrated International Women’s Day. Today we are here to talk about… you guessed it, women! As women, we like to think that women are pretty powerful and that we all need to make an effort to care for the amazing ladies in our lives. Mental health is important for everyone, but women face a specific set of challenges that we want to acknowledge and build awareness around. Are you wondering how to better care for yourself or the women in your life? We’re going to give you 5 ways to support and empower women.
What is Women’s History Month?
This year marks the 31st anniversary of Women’s History Month, an annual month for highlighting the women who have contributed to history, culture, and politics. Countless individuals have fought for women’s rights and equality, and March is a time to honour their achievements. At Dóchas, we believe that all women deserve access to mental health care that is tailored to them and takes into consideration the unique challenges women face every day.
Women’s Mental Health
While everyone is at risk for experiencing mental health challenges, women are more likely than men to experience certain types. For example, women are twice as likely as men to deal with general anxiety. Women are at a greater risk for depression, especially when they have been exposed to violence. Women also have unique mental health challenges due to hormone changes throughout their menstrual cycle, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which can cause serious mood changes in the weeks leading up to your period. Women who give birth are also at higher risk for experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety.
While the world is slowly shifting towards equalized gender roles, there is often a disparity between men and women. Issues such as reproductive rights, wage gaps, and access to healthcare persist today, exacerbating mental health challenges in women. Women who experience poverty and discrimination also are at a greater risk of experiencing mental health challenges. Finally, more and more women are in the workforce; however, the percentage of women who do most of home and family care is still disproportionately high. This means that a woman goes to work during the day and then comes home to another full-time job taking care of a house and potentially children. It is no wonder that so many women are exhausted and prone to challenges with their mental health.
How to Support Women: 5 Ways to Support and Empower Women
- Build Awareness
It is important to educate ourselves about women and society. This includes understanding that the way people express themselves has a significant influence on thinking, behaviour and choices. Therefore, being intentional in your actions helps to foster awareness. As we try to embrace our intuition, we become mindful of our strengths and weaknesses. As we build our self-awareness and tune into those thoughts, we ensure equity and fairness toward women in all things.
- Tune In & Connect
Next is to focus and tune into the women around you. As we seek to expand our understanding of women’s challenges, we can better show up for others. Empathizing with one’s struggles while celebrating successes prevents others from feeling alone. With compassion, we empower those around us.
- Pave the Way
Another way to empower and support women is by creating opportunities and influencing policy. This is possible as we invest time and effort into helping women around us succeed. Tuning into the passions of others, we provide chances for growth and new possibilities.
- Encourage & Speak Up
Be lavish with your praise when it is authentic, and remind women of the great things they are doing. Sometimes it is as simple as showing appreciation to the women around us. Women are especially prone to feelings of inadequacy, as they are often juggling so many different priorities. This can be achieved by recognizing and valuing their uniqueness as they seek to be the best in many parts of their lives. Thus, advocating for others is a sure way to foster a positive environment.
- Be Yourself & Be Open
Do your best to demonstrate confidence and celebrate your successes. As people exhibit vulnerability, they pave the way for others to do so. Being open about your stressors reinforces the connection. As we let go of the idea of being perfect, we begin to build authentic, strong relationships. Acknowledge your best and demonstrate confidence in any success. Showing up for others with enthusiasm contributes to your success.
Overall, as we support and empower other women, we create the conditions for success. We recommend a feminist anthem from singer/songwriter Jax called Cinderella Snapped. The women at our practice think it perfectly represents women’s abilities to overcome society’s patriarchal narratives.
Resources for Women
Let’s face it; life can be tough for everyone—especially women. Society has rapidly changed since the first Women’s History Month, but we still face significant roadblocks in the fight for gender equity. It can be frightening and overwhelming to navigate a world that is not always accommodating to you. However, we hope to provide you with a few resources that can help when you need an extra leg up:
- Community Organizations that Provide Services for Women:
- Mental Health Tools:
- Mindfulness apps: Insight timer, Calm, Headspace
- Books:
- The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine
- The Emotionally Healthy Woman by Geri Scazzero
- Burnnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski PhD and Amelia Nagoski DMA
- Women’s Shelters:
- Crisis Centres:
In the end, therapy can help women to address and cope with (the mental health issues we list above). At Dóchas we are here to help dismantle any unhealthy expectations that are central for women in society. Together we can work to overcome any present challenges and empower your journey to success. So if you want a safe space to be supported, contact us at Dóchas Psychological Services by email info@dochaspsychologicalservices.com or by phone at (780)-446-0300.
About Dóchas Psychological
Dóchas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dóchas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.
Disclaimer
Information provided through Dóchas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs is meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.
