The Impact of the Pandemic on Women’s Mental Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone. Many people have dealt with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the pandemic. However, women in particular have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic in many ways. Because of this, countless women are dealing with mental health issues that were brought about or exacerbated by the pandemic.
Why has the pandemic taken such a toll on women’s mental health? Women have shouldered the burden of increased domestic responsibilities during a time of great stress. Here’s why the pandemic has been so disastrous for women’s mental health.
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Childcare Responsibilities
Throughout the pandemic, schools and childcare centers have closed for long stretches of time. Even in households where both partners work, women are often responsible for handling most childcare responsibilities. Suddenly, not only were schools and daycares closed, but other relatives who may have been helping out could no longer do so. The pandemic shut down other avenues of support, leaving women to deal with the issue alone.
Caregiving for Elderly Loved Ones
Women don’t just manage the bulk of childcare responsibilities in their households. Much of the time, they are also handling eldercare responsibilities. Overall, women are far more likely to be caregivers for elderly or disabled relatives. COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for elderly people, which prompted many families to provide care for their senior relatives in their own homes rather than at nursing homes or assisted living facilities. This meant that in addition to caring for their children at home, many women suddenly ended up as caregivers for their parents or grandparents as well.
Leaving the Workforce
Because many women unexpectedly had to care for their children at home or even take care of elderly relatives, they were forced out of the workforce. On average, men have higher salaries than women. Within some households, this financial calculation meant that whoever was making less had to stay home instead.
Furthermore, men often do not carry the same domestic load as women, and many women felt that they had to stay home if they wanted their household to run smoothly. Unfortunately, many men did not step up to the plate. Even some women who had the opportunity to work from home had no choice but to leave their jobs. Trying to care for children while balancing work was too much.
Risk of Violence
Many countries across the world went into periods of lockdown throughout the pandemic. This approach was used to slow the spread of the virus and prevent infections from spreading. By keeping people apart, it was easier to reduce the case counts. However, this public health measure left women in abusive relationships in dangerous situations. For many women, the home was not the safest place to be.
Making Medical Decisions
Finally, women are often in charge of making medical decisions for their children. They are more likely to be scheduling their child’s vaccinations, talking to their family’s pediatrician, and making sure their child takes the right medications when they are sick. Many women felt the weight of making medical decisions with very limited information during the pandemic, especially in the early days when far less was known about the virus or the level of risk it presented to children. Trying to make the right choices to protect their households was emotionally taxing and became a major source of stress and anxiety.
Have you been struggling with your mental health throughout the pandemic? Working with a therapist can help you heal. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.
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