Women's mental health

Women are more likely to report experiencing mental health challenges than men.

While every woman’s journey is unique, both social and biological factors play a role in shaping their mental health. The pressure to "do it all" can leave women feeling overwhelmed and isolated – a weight no one should carry alone.

Women from LGBTQIA+ communities face higher risks due to discrimination, and young women are reporting more anxiety and depression. Nearly half of women aged 16-24 have had mental health issues in the past year, compared to a third of young men.

The good news is women are more likely to seek help and talk about how they feel. Getting support early can help you feel more in control and better able to cope with life’s ups and downs.

Acknowledgement

Although this page uses data and lived experiences relating to women assigned at birth who identify as women (cisgender), gender diverse people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) may also benefit from information on this page.

How women are feeling

54% of women report recent symptoms of anxiety and depression (compared to 49% of all people)
88% of women had experienced at least one source of distress in the last 12 months compared to the general population (83%) and men (79%)

What's causing distress for women

Money pressure – 51%
Relationship challenges – 40%
Housing costs – 36%
Loneliness or feeling disconnected – 34%

Getting help: what women say

More women sought help from mental health professionals (50%) compared to the general population (39%) and men (28%)
Still, 29% of women who need support delay or don’t get it, compared to 22% of the general population

Why some women don't seek help

Cost – 50%
Long wait times – 33%
Thinking it’s not serious enough – 33%
Thought they’d get better without help – 32%

Young women and mental health

Mental health disorders among young people have increased by nearly 50 per cent in 15 years, and young women are more likely to experience a mental health condition than young men.
Almost half of young women have had a mental health condition in the past year 45.5% of young women (16-24) compared to 32.4% of young men (16-24)
Young women are more likely to see a health professional than young men (51.1% compared to 36.4% of young men)

The benefits of mental wellbeing

Your mental health shapes how you cope with challenges, make decisions and find joy in everyday life. Choosing to care for your wellbeing can help you understand what support you need, ease your stress, anxiety and depression, make life’s demands feel more manageable and create some space to grow – both personally and professionally.

Look after your wellbeing

Women’s mental health is influenced by both social and biological factors. Social pressures and expectations are a common source of stress. These include:

Unequal caregiving responsibilities: Uneven responsibilities for caring for others.
Financial inequality: Pay gaps and limited financial opportunities.
Discrimination at work: Unfair treatment or exclusion at work.
Sexual harassment: Unwanted sexual behaviour or comments from others.
Gender-based violence: Harm caused to women because of their gender.
Cultural factors: Social values, beliefs, and practices that shape behaviour.

Women and gender-diverse people may experience overlapping forms of discrimination, which can add extra stress to our mental health. These include:

Homophobia: Prejudice or discrimination against people attracted to the same gender.
Transphobia: Discrimination or prejudice against transgender and non-binary people.
Racism: Discrimination or prejudice based on race or ethnicity.
Ageism: Bias or discrimination due to age.
Ableism: Discrimination or prejudice against people with disabilities.

Understanding what affects women’s mental health — from life stages to social and emotional pressures — helps women be kinder to themselves during tough times. It also helps others recognise when support might be needed.

Puberty

Changes during these times can disrupt a woman’s hormonal balance. This can affect not only their physical health but also their mood, anxiety levels, and overall sense of wellbeing.

Girls and young women are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges during puberty.

Social pressures, cyberbullying, body image worries, and physical changes in both body and mind can make things feel even more overwhelming.

Menstruation

Menstruation can cause rapid hormonal changes, and these can interfere with a woman’s ability to regulate mood.

This increases the likelihood of depression and anxiety during this time. Conditions linked to periods can also affect a woman’s ability to work or go to school, which can take a significant toll on their mental health.

For some, period insecurity can make menstruation even more challenging. When access to affordable menstrual products is limited, it can bring about stress and feelings of shame.

Perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause

An important life transition for all women is menopause. Hormonal shifts and physical changes during menopause can cause hot flushes, night sweats, and interrupted sleep. These can affect a woman’s overall wellbeing and mood.

Experts say menopause can also impact brain function, leading to memory loss and irritability. When women experience these changes and symptoms, they create uncertainty, which may increase a woman’s risk of anxiety and depression.

Learn more about perimenopause and menopause

Becoming a mother

Adjusting to this major life change, alongside the daily demands of early motherhood, can leave women feeling sad, isolated, or lonely. This is especially true if they’ve faced mental health challenges before.

Sometimes, these feelings may be temporary, but at other times, they can be more severe, such as with postpartum depression.

Pregnancy and birth

Hormonal changes, combined with personal circumstances, can make pregnancy an emotional time. Moods may flip from elation and excitement to sadness, irritability, or anxiety.

It’s important for women to know they are not alone, and these feelings are common. In fact, around 1 in 7 women experience depression and anxiety during pregnancy or after the birth of a baby.

Learn about pregnancy and mental health

Infertility and perinatal loss

Infertility and miscarriage are challenges that some of us may face.

Around one in six couples face infertility
As many as one in four confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage
One in 100 births results in stillbirth or newborn death

These losses can deeply impact a woman’s emotional and mental wellbeing. The grief women feel is often private and unspoken, making it even harder to process.

Reaching out whether to a trusted professional, close friend, or family member can help navigate this time. It’s important to know that whatever we’re feeling, it’s okay to seek support.

The workplace and women’s mental health

The weight of responsibility, workplace stress, and financial pressures can leave us feeling stretched too thin.

Find out more about workplace stress and burnout

Balancing work with caregiving responsibilities

Over two-thirds of primary carers in Australia are women, often balancing the care of children, partners, and parents alongside their own needs.

Juggling paid and unpaid work can be incredibly demanding, both emotionally and physically.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when there’s little time left for self-care or to seek the support that women need.

The gender pay gap and lack of financial security

According to a report from the Australian National University, around 26% of women in 2023 reported struggling to manage on their current income, which is higher than the 22% of men facing the same challenge.

These financial pressures and inequality can deeply affect our mental wellbeing, often leaving us feeling drained and unsupported.

The effects aren’t felt equally. The groups most affected by financial mental wellbeing are:

divorced women (47%)
single mothers (23%), and
women living with a disability (44%)

Sexual harassment at work

Sadly, in a recent study, 26% of women recently experienced sexual harassment at their workplace. For 71% of these women, this had negative impacts on their mental health.

Over the past five years, data on sexual harassment has shown some troubling disparities among us:

people aged between 15-17 years old
LGBTIQ+ community members and intersex people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and
people with a disability

These statistics remind women that there are many shared experiences to lean on for support. Taking care and seeking help when needed allows women to show up for themselves and others.

Experiences of discrimination, harm and violence

Sexuality and gender identity

Women attracted to the same sex, or who identify as transgender or gender-diverse, may face higher risks of anxiety and depression.

This is often linked to discrimination and barriers to support.

These challenges can be difficult; it’s important to know that safe and understanding spaces available.

Ageism

Ageism can take a toll on female mental health. Many women may experience workplace bias, increased scrutiny the older they become, and a sense of diminished value, which can lead to anxiety or low self-esteem.

In addition, some older women face the insecurity of retiring with less superannuation, lower savings, and precarious work options due to taking time out to care for children and family members.

Disability and ableism

Women living with a disability may experience unique challenges that affect their mental health.

Physical barriers, along with social stigmas or limited access to support, can increase feelings of isolation and poor mental health.

With one in five people living with a disability, you’re not alone.

Racism

Experiencing racism can have profound effects on your mental health.

The discrimination, microaggressions, and systemic inequality that some of us face can contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression.

Recognising these impacts is a crucial step towards healing and finding the support we deserve.

Domestic violence and abuse

Women must feel safe and respected in relationships. Sadly, this is not always the case.

Reports show that 35% of physical or sexual violence that women experience comes from someone they know. These events can severely impact female mental health.

Support is always available

If you’re feeling unsafe or overwhelmed, please know that help is here. You don't have to face it alone – and there is always someone willing to listen and help you feel safe.

Speak to us at Beyond Blue Call 1800 RESPECT

Noticing signs of depression and anxiety in women

Women often hold themselves to high expectations and put others' needs before their own. This means they may not reach out for support until they’re already at breaking point. Regularly paying attention to their feeling – both physically and emotionally – can make all the difference.

a lack of enjoyment or feeling empty
difficulty sleeping
low self-esteem and self worth
feeling irritable, tense or on edge
feeling helpless or hopeless
persistent anxiety
mood swings
feeling more isolated, or
finding it harder to manage things that usually come easily.

If these signs show up, it’s important to take them seriously, even if they feel subtle at first. You may reach out to someone they trust; this could be a GP, helpline, close friend, or online mental health resource

Lifeline

24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support.  Provides all Australians access to crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Call 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service

Free 24/7 telephone counselling support if you are at risk of or affected by suicide. Delivered by trained counsellors at Lifeline.

Call 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue

To speak to a counsellor, call 1300 22 4636.

To chat online with a counsellor, start a webchat. Both services are private, free, and available 24/7.

Call 1300 22 4636

Take the first step

Making the first move can be daunting, but we can help you set your own plan.

The Wellbeing Action Tool helps you discover what works for you and guides your journey to a healthier mind.

Create your wellbeing plan

Illustration of two women sitting on a couch in conversation

Remember you're not alone

Sometimes, sharing how we feel and what we’re going through can help. That’s why Beyond Blue manages support programs, and groups focused on women’s unique mental wellbeing challenges.

Visit the Beyond Blue Forums