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
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%)
Money pressure – 51%
Relationship challenges – 40%
Housing costs – 36%
Loneliness or feeling disconnected – 34%
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
Cost – 50%
Long wait times – 33%
Thinking it’s not serious enough – 33%
Thought they’d get better without help – 32%
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)
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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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Infertility and miscarriage are challenges that some of us may face.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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
Support services for expectant and new parents experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety.
As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.
First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.
Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.
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