Women and Mental Health Mental health problems affect women and men equally, but some are more common among women. Abuse is often a factor in women??s mental health problems. Treatments need to be sensitive to and reflect gender differences. The same numbers of women and men experience mental health problems overall, but some problems are more common in women than men, and vice versa. Various social factors put women at greater risk of poor mental health than men. However, women??s readiness to talk about their feelings and their strong social networks can help protect their mental health. Women as guardians of family health However busy they are, it is important that women look after their mental health. Traditionally, women have tended to take on the responsibility of looking after the health of members of their family as well as themselves. For instance, women often shop for their family and influence what they eat or advise their family when they feel unwell. This role makes it particularly important that women understand how the choices we all make in everyday life can affect our mental health. Women as carers Most carers are women, whether they care for their children, partner, parents, other relatives or friends. Women carers are more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression than women in the general population. Three quarters of people who care for a person with a mental health problem are women and the average age of carers is 62 years. Mental health of women in