{"id":47853,"date":"2021-06-01T10:34:47","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T17:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"\/us\/en\/blog\/?p=47853"},"modified":"2025-03-13T06:02:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T13:02:01","slug":"why-womens-mental-health-is-in-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/us\/en\/blog\/why-womens-mental-health-is-in-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Why women\u2019s mental health is in crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

This story is part of a series recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month and how RingCentral supports its employees\u2019 mental health and well-being.<\/i><\/p>\n

As of May 2021, records show that COVID-19 has caused the deaths of 3.4 million people<\/a> since the first known case in 2019. And while it does not directly infect the mind, the virus has contributed to many things that globally caused a mental health decline.<\/p>\n

As support services closed, financial pressures climbed, and social distancing measures tightened, many suffered mentally. Sadly, recent findings tell us that women\u2019s mental health is most susceptible.<\/p>\n

Research<\/a> from non-profit aid organization CARE showed that women are three times more likely to report mental health issues than men. Meanwhile, a study from Frontiers in Global Women\u2019s Health<\/a> <\/i>found that, during the pandemic, women reported more trouble sleeping and more symptoms of anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of depression and anxiety tend to include: loss of appetite, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia\u2014the list goes on. As a result, women find it increasingly difficult to accomplish daily tasks. It\u2019s time to consider the underlying causes of this unseen mental health crisis.<\/p>\n

Health and social sector risks<\/b><\/h2>\n

According to the World Health Organization, women represent 70%<\/a> of health and social sector workers worldwide. This suggests these frontline workers are more exposed to COVID-19 than men. On top of the increased risk, women \u2013 especially women of color \u2013 earn less<\/a> than their male colleagues in most cases in this industry. Most women do not even have strong financial protection.<\/p>\n

Domestic burnout<\/b><\/h2>\n

At home, the strain continues as women are often responsible for every activity in the house, including caregiving. When childcare centers closed, findings showed<\/a> that women often became even more accountable for the welfare of their children. This has led to a loss of wages during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

In the U.S., two out of every three<\/a> caregivers are women. And according to a study from Syracuse University, 80% of U.S. adults<\/a> who are not working during the pandemic due to increased caretaking responsibilities are also women.<\/p>\n

Because of the increased caregiving responsibilities, it’s understandable why many women would be experiencing burnout. All of these factors also put extra strain on women\u2019s mental health during this global health crisis.<\/p>\n

Pandemic pregnancies<\/b><\/h2>\n

The pandemic has also had a devastating impact on the care of pregnant women and new mothers. First, there is a greater risk of pregnant women contracting the virus because of their heavy dependence on the healthcare<\/a> sector (especially those working in the sector themselves.)<\/p>\n

When hospitals become overburdened with the task of fighting off peaks of the virus, pregnant women suffer in vulnerable isolation\u2014while carrying, during labor, and as new mothers.<\/a><\/p>\n

But there\u2019s been a larger crisis at hand.<\/p>\n

When hospitals become overburdened with the task of fighting off peaks of the virus, pregnant women suffer in vulnerable isolation\u2014while carrying, during labor, and as new mothers.<\/p>\n

In many countries, pregnant women admitted to a hospital that treats COVID-19 patients are monitored carefully and asked to fill out surveys so doctors can gather more information about their condition.<\/p>\n

According to a report<\/a> from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women who contracted COVID-19 were more likely to be hospitalized with severe cases of Covid-19 than non-pregnant women. They were also at higher risk of pre-term birth.<\/p>\n

Therefore, it is especially crucial for pregnant women to pay attention to social distancing and other health rules.<\/p>\n

The CDC also says<\/a> that some pregnant women are more likely to develop critical health issues:<\/p>\n