The Role of Gender in Mental Health

Despite the high incidence of serious mental health conditions, mental illness is underdiagnosed by doctors. Less than half of individuals who meet the diagnostic criteria for a mental health condition seek help or are identified by doctors. While biological differences in sex can certainly play a role in many mental health conditions, it is important not to understate certain environmental factors that also play a heavy hand in the statistical gender disparities. From culturally-ingrained gender roles to rates of sexual and physical violence, experiences affect the risk for mental illness, and expectations can influence one’s response to these environmental factors. Even though overall rates of mental illness are almost identical between the genders, women are significantly more likely to report symptoms and seek treatment. Talk with your doctor if you have been noticing signs of a mental health issues or are at an increased risk for depression due to a chronic illness like cancer, MS or rheumatoid arthritis.