A new study reveals the extent of the pandemic’s toll on mental health, particularly highlighting the struggles faced by women. There’s no denying that the past year and a half have been challenging for everyone. We’ve been navigating a landscape filled with uncertainty, fear, and loss. However, research published in The Lancet indicates that the mental health crisis stemming from the pandemic is particularly severe for women.
Globally, rates of depression and anxiety surged by over 25 percent during the pandemic — with figures reaching 28 percent for depression and 26 percent for anxiety. The situation for women is even more alarming: approximately 35 million women received new diagnoses of major depressive disorder, compared to just 18 million men. In terms of anxiety, 52 million women were diagnosed, while the number for men was significantly lower at 24 million.
This study marks the first comprehensive global assessment of the pandemic’s mental health impacts, and the findings are concerning. Alize Ferrari, one of the study’s co-authors, noted, “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many existing inequalities, and social determinants of mental health. Sadly, for numerous reasons, women were always more likely to be worse affected by the social and economic consequences of the pandemic.”
The challenges women face are not surprising, especially given previous research highlighting the unique burdens placed on working mothers. For instance, a report from McKinsey in 2020 revealed that one in four working women considered leaving their jobs, and for mothers, that figure was one in three. The same report indicated that remote work during the pandemic disproportionately impacted mothers’ mental health compared to fathers. Many women found themselves juggling childcare and household duties while working from home, with 75 percent reporting an increase in daily household responsibilities.
“Our findings underscore the urgent need to bolster mental health systems worldwide to tackle the rising incidence of major depressive disorder and anxiety,” said Dr. Damian Santomauro, the lead author of the study. “Even prior to the pandemic, mental health care systems in most countries were historically under-resourced and disorganized. Addressing the heightened demand for mental health services due to COVID-19 is essential.”
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In summary, the pandemic has disproportionately affected women’s mental health compared to men, with significant increases in depression and anxiety diagnoses. The need for enhanced mental health support systems is critical as we navigate these challenging times.
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