Mental Health of Women in India: Stigma and Discrimination

Abstract

Mental health has an impact on how to deal with stressful situations, maintain a healthy and stable relationship, stay physically fit, work productively, and give back to the community. However, gender serves an essential impact as well, since men's and women's brains function in different ways whether they are affected by internal or external factors.  In the majority of cases, females are the victims whether it's rape cases, domestic violence, or mental health problems. Many women suffer obstacles such as gender inequality, poverty, poor physical health, and caregiving responsibilities that have led women to develop common mental disorders (CMDs). This study's objective is to study different people's attitudes regarding a person with mental illness in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. A mixed-methods technique was used in this study, which included 52 participants. The general public has a high level of perceived stigma. When gender is taken into account, men exhibited low perceived stigma, whereas women had high perceived stigma and discriminated against people with mental illness. Stigmas and lack of awareness about mental health were the main cause behind the negative attitudes of people toward a mentally ill person.