This blog was written by ESAH Co-Founder Venise Vinegar for World Mental Health Day 2024.
When it comes to the psychological effects of gender inequality, your mindset is your most valuable asset and shield of armor for winning the struggle to survive and thrive in an unequal world.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depressive disorders are major contributors to the world’s health burden; they affect approximately 350 million people worldwide1–3. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from mental illness.
Despite the fact that in many countries it is common in two-parent households for both parents to work, women still spend more time on parenting and housework than men. The COVID 19 Pandemic opened a Pandora’s box on thepsychological effects of gender inequality around household responsibilities and chores.
An unequal sharing of the care in households can negatively impact a person’s mental and physical health. The gender pay gap, the motherhood penalty and people feeling trapped in gendered roles (be that a woman being limited to the home environment or a man being unable to ask for flexible working for example) can also result in negative mental health. Some of the psychological effects of gender inequality can include higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women and people of marginalized genders. People can experience mental health conditions as a direct result of gender-based discrimination or violence, for example. They can also develop conditions indirectly because of exposure to socioeconomic inequality, chronic stress, and harmful messages in the media.
Mental health can be a sensitive issue to deal with. Each person reacts differently according to their respective struggles. Different people also exhibit various early warning signs before a mental breakdown. Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to reach out for help, let alone recognize that they are struggling. This is why it’s important for everyone to be aware of the subtle signs that indicate someone may be going through an emotional or mental challenge. The smallest of signs of a mental health struggle are most often overlooked. Safe spaces for communication and self-awareness may save the life of a loved one.
Achieving work life balance in an unequal world with incessant demands on your time and energy can feel relentless. Between work commitments, personal responsibilities, and everything in between, it can sometimes feel impossible to find balance. Yet, achieving balance between your career and personal life is essential for sustaining your physical, emotional, mental health, spiritual and overall well-being. Maintaining this balance requires more than just managing your time. It’s about aligning your priorities, setting boundaries, and making intentional decisions about how you spend your energy. It is possible to thrive in your professional life while still creating space for the personal moments in your life that matter most.
| A few TIPS on getting mentally tough in an unequal world: |
| 1. When you face a setback moment of inequality or inequity, embrace it as a defining moment that will lead to a lesson to be learned at that time that will benefit you in the future. 2. Staying positive in the face of negativity creates success. 3. Don’t ruminate over the past, present or future. instead focus your energy on the present moment. There is power living in your now. 4. When you experience a situation of inequality or inequity, don’t just complain about it, instead identify a solution. 5. During your most challenging times of dealing with inequality in an unequal word remember with God or your own definition of a Higher Source of Power, all things are possible. Stay in an attitude of prayer for everything and gratitude for the vibrational support of the Universe’s guidance and answers. 6. Never give up. Resilience is your superpower; prayer and a calm surrender will help you stay focused on what you can control and let go of what you can’t. |
True success for thriving in an unequal world is when the center of everything you do is based on what you value. Achieving success isn’t just about what we do—it’s about how we think. Your mindset is the foundation upon which everything else is built, and it is your greatest more treasured asset in the pursuit of your aspirations, goals and dreams in an unequal world.