Since the publication of Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General in 1999, an increasing body of evidence from the research base, public policy analysis, consumer advocacy, and health care practice has underscored the critical importance of mental health to the overall health of women—and to our Nation as a whole. Many advances have been made in our understanding of mental illnesses, effective treatments, and promising approaches for promoting mental health, resilience, and fulfilling lives for those living with mental illnesses. A key component of this progress has been the increased understanding of the critical role of gender in the risks, course, and treatment of mental illnesses. New research findings also have pointed to the effectiveness of a growing array of treatment options for mental illnesses and of a new model of treatment that is recovery-oriented, strengths-based, and includes the active participation of individuals in their treatment. The recent advances in the science and practice of women’s mental health provide an unprecedented opportunity to address the burden of mental illnesses on women’s lives and increase the capacity for recovery. However, for this knowledge to be effective, it must be translated into tangible actions that can promote change and support progress to improve the mental and overall health of our Nation’s women and girls. Thus, this report proposes the following actions:
Promote the widespread understanding that women’s mental health is an essential part of their overall health.
Improve the interface of primary care and mental health services for women.
Accelerate research to increase the knowledge base of the role of gender in mental health and to reduce the burden of mental illnesses in both women and men.
Increase gender and cultural diversity in academic research and medicine.
Support efforts to track the mental health, distress, and well-being of women and girls in national, State, and large community-based surveillance systems.
Decrease the amount of time it requires to translate research findings on women’s mental health into practice.
Recognize the unique prevalence of trauma, violence, and abuse in the lives and mental health of girls, women, and female veterans. Address their effects and support promising new approaches that enhance recovery.
Address the cultural and social disparities that place women at greater risk for certain mental illnesses by including considerations of these disparities in diagnosis and intervention and by investigating ways to increase cultural competence in treatment approaches.
Promote a recovery-oriented, strengths-based approach to treatment for women promulgated by the recommendations of the President’s New Freedom Commission.
Build resilience and protective factors to promote the mental health of girls and women and aid recovery.
Meet the mental health needs of girls and young women as part of overall health care.
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Incorporate gender issues and considerations in emergency preparedness and disaster planning, including mental health issues.
The Action Steps for Improving Women’s Mental Health represent a collaborative effort of women’s health experts across multiple agencies and offices of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) including the HHS Office on Women’s Health, Office of the Surgeon General, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Minority Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Indian Health Service, and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy and Evaluation. Its purpose is to spur positive changes. The hope is that policy planners, healthcare providers, researchers, and others will take up its suggested actions and help translate them into reality. In this way, we can promote improved mental health and a healthier future for the women and girls of America.
