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Impacts of COVID 19 on women’s mental health and recommendations for action – updated October 2020

Published 13 October 2020

This report from the Women’s Mental Health Alliance provides an update on the impacts of COVID-19 on women’s mental health, incorporating data gathered since the publication of our first policy brief in June 2020. A 2021 update is also available.

There is now substantial data to show that the first and second waves of COVID-19 restrictions have had significant impacts on women’s mental health. Population survey data shows women are significantly more likely than men to have experienced negative mental health impacts, leading to a substantial increase in demand for mental health support among women in the general community. Mental health services in Victoria have reported a significant increase in women presenting with serious mental health issues during COVID-19, including severe anxiety and depression.

It is evident that COVID-19 has amplified the structural inequalities that drive poor mental health outcomes for women, underlining the importance of using gender impact analysis to inform policy-making and budgeting as we emerge from the pandemic.

This report makes a series of recommendations for a gender transformative recovery to support women’s mental health across four themes:

  1. Creating the infrastructure needed to support planning and decision-making for a gender equal recovery
  1. Applying an intersectional gender lens to policy-making and budgeting to address the underlying gendered social and economic inequalities that drive poor mental health outcomes for women and girls
  1. Ensuring equitable access to appropriate mental health support for all women and girls
  1. Providing other needed supports for women’s mental health and safety

Read an October 2021 COVID-19 and women’s mental health update with observations from WMHA members here.

Read the June 2020 COVID brief here.

Citation:

Women's Mental Health Alliance (2020) Impacts of COVID 19 on women’s mental health and recommendations for action - UPDATE October 2020, Women's Health Victoria. Melbourne.

COVID-19 Mental Health Women's Mental Health Alliance
Impacts of COVID 19 on women’s mental health and recommendations for action – updated October 2020

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Acknowledgement of Country

Women’s Health Victoria acknowledges and pays our respects to the Traditional Owners of the land that our offices are situated on, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.

As a statewide organisation, we also acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and water across Victoria. We pay our respects to them, their cultures and their Elders past and present.

Read more about our Reconciliation Action Plan

Our Commitment to Gender Diversity and Inclusion

Women’s Health Victoria’s focus is women (cis and trans inclusive) and gender-diverse people. We address feminist health issues and are committed to supporting all people impacted by gender inequity who can benefit from our work. As a proud intersectional feminist organisation, Women’s Health Victoria is working towards meaningful inclusivity, guided by and supporting people who identify as women, trans, intersex and gender diverse.

Read about our commitment