About half of middle-aged women in S’pore deal with mental health issues

Juggling concerns like menopause and caregiving could be factors: Panellists

- Syarafana Shafeeq

Close to half of middle-aged women in Singapore have reported experiencing mental health concerns, but only 59 per cent of them have sought professional help.

More than 70 per cent of the women who experienced mental health concerns cited feeling like a burden to others as the reason why they did not seek help.

These preliminary findings are from a September survey by the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) and James Cook University in Singapore to study the perceptions of mental health among women aged 40 to 59. The survey is still ongoing and aims to eventually reach 1,000 women.

The early findings, from 300 women, were presented on Sept 29 at the Summit for Action on Gender Equality, held at One Farrer Hotel.

At the summit, panellists shared their views on how middle-aged women have to juggle different issues, such as menopause and caregiving, which may contribute to a growing toll on their mental health.

Dr Razwana Begum, head of the public safety and security programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, said that not many can openly talk about their struggles, such as dealing with menopause or mental health issues, without feeling like it may affect their loved ones or careers.