Keeping Women Sane
Women’s mental health is a growing crisis nationally, and especially in Hastings & St Leonards – one of the most deprived areas in England. We spoke confidentially to a very busy psychiatrist on the front line of women’s health. Our policy is to allow women to speak freely, so we keep names private: this allows women who want to share sensitive experiences to discuss their experiences with us. We’ve called our psychiatrist Dr P.
Dr P works in several mental health centres as well as a community mental health team, a project which aims to keep people out of hospital. The women in these projects experience severe mental health issues which are increased by, or are a direct result of, basic financial problems, often caused by impossible rent increases or lack of work. Worse still, many landlords feel pressured to sell property, resulting in tenants becoming homeless.
I asked Dr P what she has seen as the catalyst for the increase in mental health issues.
“It’s clear that covid, isolation and the effects of austerity have had a major impact on women’s health,” she says. “We see women losing connection with their homes, families, community and pets as a result of homelessness. This is catastrophic for women’s mental health and wellbeing. The loss of connection is the main problem.”
As a psychiatrist, Dr P works with social services and the voluntary sector, often with those who have housing issues. She can also prescribe medication, so I asked for her thoughts on using medication to alleviate distress when the problem is social. She explained that loss of community connection and the dire housing need cannot be cured by antidepressants or other medication: “The money from central government is just not there. Communities have to support each other and set up more projects – art, cycling, yoga, reading groups all help.”
I suggested that we need easier ways for women to find groups where they feel welcomed and supported, and where they can recognise that they too have skills and can support others. Young women and children do get some support, but now we see older women with increased isolation.
Dr P agreed that older women often suffer, as they are not seen as a priority, and this can result in terrible isolation. “To be in your 50s with no home or garden and having to give up a pet is heartbreaking.”
That women increasingly suffer these conditions requires action, and communication. Supporting women to take action for themselves, join groups and become part of community life can benefit their mental health enormously. Something we are keen to raise awareness of in WoH is an increased sensitivity about how to support local women in distress.
Some useful links:
Sussex Mental Health Line, 0800 0309 500: can signpost people to mental health support.
Health in Mind: can help you self-refer for therapy and counselling which bypass the GP.
wishingtreehouse.org, 07766 082272 low cost and free places for supportive women’s writing.
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