Women’s Mental Health: Taking Action
New Publications Inform Consumers, Practitioners
Two new publications—one for consumers and one for practitioners—focus on raising awareness of women’s mental health.
Developed by the Office on Women’s Health (OWH) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the publications are available through SAMHSA’s Health Information Network. (See box.)
“In releasing this report, our hope is that policymakers, health care providers, researchers, and others will come together, follow our recommendations, and take action so that we can promote change and support progress to improve women’s mental health,” said Wanda K. Jones, Dr.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Women’s Health) and Director of the OWH.
Women’s Mental Health: What It Means to You. This consumer booklet addresses the stigma associated with mental health, with information on the signs and symptoms of mental illness.
The publication also provides suggestions for support and solutions for preventing and coping with mental illness. (Publication number: OWH09-CONSUMER)
Action Steps for Improving Women’s Mental Health (Action Steps). This report brings together the most recent research, resources, products, and tools on mental health issues in women and explores the role gender plays in diagnosing, treating, and coping with mental illness. The publication also points to resilience and social support systems as key factors in overcoming mental illness.
Specific action steps are outlined for policymakers, health care providers, researchers, and others to take in an effort to address the burden of mental illness on women’s lives and increase their capacity for recovery. (Publication number: OWH09-PROFESSIONAL)
Sponsored by the OWH, the report was developed in collaboration with women’s health and mental health experts from SAMHSA, the National Institute of Mental Health, the Office of Minority Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Indian Health Service, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and the Office of the Surgeon General.
“By working together we have an unprecedented opportunity to address the impact of mental illnesses on women’s lives and increase the capacity for recovery,” said A. Kathryn Power, Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).
Online. It’s easy to order free copies of these two publications online, download them in PDF or HTML formats, or simply read them online. Visit SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services Web site.
By Phone. To order these free publications by phone, call SAMHSA’s Health Information Network toll-free at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 or 1-877-726-4727.
For more information on these publications or other women’s health issues, visit the Office on Women’s Health.
For more on substance abuse treatment, prevention, or mental health issues, visit SAMHSA’s Web site.