Just like physical health, mental health is also very important. Due to the lack of awareness, social pressure, and limited access to proper care, many women are silently suffering from mental health issues in Pakistan. Millions of women are affected by depression, anxiety, and limited access to proper care, according to the global and local reports, but there are a few who have received the proper treatment.

 At the Koohi Goth Hospital, we are fully aware of how much mental health impacts the lives of women.  Especially the ones with an unprivileged background who do not have awareness, support, and do not have access to mental health services.  We are helping women understand how important their mental health is.

What is mental health?

The things that count in mental health are how we think, act, and feel.  Mental health affects our ability to make choices, relate to others, and handle our stress.  The things that influence mental health in women are:

• Hormonal changes
• Domestic pressure
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Lack of education or freedom
• Abuse or trauma
• Financial problems

 The woman’s suffering with mental health issues her whole life becomes disturbed, it affects your family, work, physical health, and future as well.

How many women face mental health issues?

Here we are going to share some alarming statistics:

1. 1 in every 5 women suffers from common mental health issues like depression and anxiety, according to the World Health Organisation WHO.
2. According to the studies and searches in Pakistan, it has been shown that more than 37% of women show symptoms of depression.
3. Over 60% of women in rural areas in Pakistan suffered from untreated mental health conditions according to the 2023 report.
4. Women are being taught to be strong, stay quiet, and they do not even realise that they have a mental illness. This makes things even worse, especially for the women living in poor areas, as it causes more damage over time.

Mental health awareness and services for women in Pakistan are needed after seeing these numbers.

Common Mental Health Problems Among Women:

The most common mental health issues faced by women are listed here:

Depression:

The condition is when you feel hopelessness, loss of interest, low energy, and long-term sadness.

Anxiety:

This condition would lead you to excessive fear or restlessness and panic attacks.

Postpartum depression:

Depression after the child’s birth. For both the woman and the child.

Trauma and PTSD:

This is caused by domestic abuse, early marriage, or sexual violence.

Bipolar Disorder:

In this order, you would experience extreme mode from high energy to deep sadness.

Eating Disorders:

 This disorder is common in young women, which arises due to body image pressure.

Why don’t women speak about their mental health?

There are multiple reasons why women in Pakistan do not talk about mental health:

Stigma:

Mental Health is often seen as a shame.

Lack of Awareness:

Many women are not aware of the signs of mental illness

No access to services:

Mental Health services are expensive and are not available everywhere.

Fear of Judgment:

Women fear being labelled as mad or weak.

Cultural Pressure:

Women are being taught this thing from the beginning that you have to suffer in silence and have to put others first.

KoohiGoth Hospital’s staff is determined to break this silence and take a step for the mental well-being of the women.

How Koohi Goth Hospital is Helping?

 Koohi Goth Hospital always stands for the physical and mental well-being of women. It is a charitable hospital and focuses on women’s healthcare. Many treatments are being offered free to the women, such as obstetric fistula and other reproductive issues.

• We are looking forward to:
• Create awareness about women’s mental health
• Providing women with psychological support and counselling
• We are training our staff to recognise mental health illnesses early 
• Educating and raising awareness in families to support women’s health

Our hospital is not only focused on physical health, but we believe in treating the whole person, body and mind. We work in rural areas where access to proper mental care in Pakistan is almost nonexistent.

Signs That women might need mental health Support:

Here are some signs that women may be suffering from mental health problems:

• Always feeling tired or sad
• Losing interest in daily activities
• Feeling worthless or hopeless
• Withdrawing from family or friends
• Having trouble sleeping or eating
• Crying all the time
• Sudden mood changes
• Please reach out to help if you have someone who is facing the symptoms.

Let’s Talk and Support Women’s Mental Health

There is no need to consider that mental health in women is a luxury; it’s not, it’s a necessity. Everyone in the world deserves to live a peaceful, balanced, and happy life.  Silence is not the treatment for this problem; it would only lead the problem to grow

You can help by:

• Talking to them openly about mental health
• Try supporting your mother, sister, daughter, or friend
• Spread awareness in your community
• Visit Koohi Goth Hospital
• Donate to support mental health programs for women

Final Thoughts:

Mental health issues in women are not a joke; they’re real and rising.  Women are suffering in silence in Pakistan. It’s time to break this social stigma and provide support to them.

 At Koohi Goth hospital, we are proud to be a part of the solution of helping women to heal not just physically but emotionally, too.

It’s time to work together to build a future where every woman has the right to mental peace and care.