Investing in Women and Girls’ Mental Health
Mental health is the leading cause of disability for women globally. It also affects outcomes in many other issues that funders care about. Want to amplify your impact? Join Mindful Philanthropy as we spotlight women and girls' mental health. It’s time to give with her in mind.
Navigating Life Transitions: How Philanthropy Can Support the Mental Health of Women as They Age
Navigating Life Transitions: How Philanthropy Can Support the Mental Health of Women as They Age is our latest guidance on how funders can support women’s mental health. In the narrative of aging, the spotlight often skips over the transformative stages that unfold after the age of 25, fixating instead on the bookends of adulthood—before and after 65. Yet, it’s within this often overlooked time period that women’s mental health and well-being undergo profound shifts that demand attention. Despite the critical gap in understanding the experiences of women as they age, especially as it pertains to mental health, there are tangible opportunities to support women’s mental health throughout the aging experience.
Our guidance explores the unique mental health challenges women face as they age, and presents opportunities for philanthropy to invest in uplifting an under-researched and undervalued space to empower women to navigate this life phase with greater understanding, confidence, and resilience.
Prioritizing Moms’ Well Being: How Philanthropy Can Support Maternal Mental Health
Prioritizing Moms’ Well Being: How Philanthropy Can Support Maternal Mental Health is our latest guidance on how funders can support women’s mental health. One in five mothers face mental health challenges during pregnancy and postpartum, a silent crisis with lasting consequences for both mother and child. Philanthropic support in this issue area deserves greater attention due to its far-reaching impacts on mothers, children, families, and communities, both in the near and long-term.
Our guidance explores the unique mental health experiences of mothers across the reproductive years, and presents opportunities for philanthropy to invest in the most promising and practical solutions to drive systemic change in support of new moms and their families.
Empowering Women in the Workplace: How Philanthropy Can Support Women’s Mental Health
Empowering Women in the Workplace: How Philanthropy Can Support Women’s Mental Health is our latest guidance on how funders can support women’s mental health. While the challenges women face in the workplace are undeniable – from societal pressures, entrenched workplace inequalities, and pervasive gender-based expectations – so are the opportunities for positive change.
Our guidance explores practical opportunities to support working women within the existing system while also advocating for philanthropy to pursue bold initiatives that can transform the system for lasting impact on the lives of women in the workforce.
Setting Girls Up for Success: How Philanthropy Can Support Girls’ Mental Health
Setting Girls Up for Success: How Philanthropy Can Support Girls’ Mental Health is our latest guidance on how funders can support girls’ mental health. While the reasons for the rise in mental health issues among adolescent girls are complex and multifaceted, early intervention and prevention can promote resilience, mitigate the long-term effects of mental health conditions, and lead to better outcomes in life.
Our guidance explores key prevention and protective factors that can help to address the mental health crisis among adolescent girls, and presents opportunities for philanthropy to create a brighter future for all girls.
A Primer on Women and Girls’ Mental Health
Improving the lives of women and girls yields better long-term outcomes for families, communities, and global economies. Mental health in particular is a crucial determinant of those positive outcomes and broader societal benefits. This primer highlights key opportunities to support women and girls’ mental health and how they intersect with other issues that funders care about, including education, health, and economic empowerment.
Investing in Women and Girls’ Mental Health is a Smart Bet
Investing in women and girls’ mental health can create positive ripple effects across society. Yet, this issue remains overlooked and undervalued by philanthropy. This resource highlights data on the disproportionate mental health burden that women and girls bear, and how investment in this area can create a positive ripple effect for society at large. Funders and philanthropic leaders dedicated to supporting women and girls can achieve a greater return on investment and lasting impact by incorporating mental health into their giving strategies.
In 2021, more than 1 in 4 girls reported that they seriously considered attempting suicide.
Women are 2x as likely to suffer from depression compared to men, and 2x as likely to report challenges in accessing quality health services.
WEBINAR: Women’s Mental Health Across the Lifespan
On June 18, 2024, Mindful Philanthropy hosted Joy Burkhard, Dr. Milly Kaggwa, Larissa May, and Dr. Kathy Pike to discuss our With Her in Mind guidance series, highlighting opportunities for funders to support women and girls’ mental health across the lifespan.
Topics included strengthening girls’ resilience and support systems, lifting up women’s mental health in the workplace, and prioritizing maternal mental health.
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