Womens Emotional and Mental Health Service

Description

Social and economic factors can put women at greater risk of poor mental health than men. However, women generally find it easier to talk about their feelings and have stronger social networks, both of which can help protect their mental health.  Around one in five women have a common mental health problem, such as depression and anxiety. 

While there can be many reasons why these develop, some risk factors affect many women. Women are more likely than men:

•	To be carers, which can lead to stress, anxiety and isolation. Carers UK has information on looking after your mental health.
•	To live in poverty which, along with concerns about personal safety and working mainly in the home, can lead to social isolation.
•	To experience physical and sexual abuse, which can have a long-term impact on their mental health. Contact Refuge if you're experiencing domestic violence.
•	To experience sexual violence, which can cause PTSD.

When women find it hard to talk about difficult feelings, they tend to internalise them. This can lead to depression, eating disorders and self-harm.  Men are more likely to act out their feelings through disruptive or anti-social behaviour.

On the other hand, some factors protect women's mental health: they tend to have better social networks than men, find it easier to confide in their friends and are more likely to have been treated for a mental health problem.

The service provider will ensure the continued development and delivery of the Women's Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service focusing on the delivery of Generic Counselling Work with Women and Families in Wigan Borough.

It is expected that the service will deliver a range of counselling interventions and therapeutic support necessary to women to ensure that they achieve good mental wellbeing and develop the resilience and self-efficacy to cope with the demands of life.