Public Mental Health Aspects of Women’s Reproductive Mental Health in South Asia
摘要
This chapter examines the critical intersection of public mental health and women’s reproductive psychiatry in South Asia. Mental health disorders are highly prevalent in this region, with pooled rates of 16.0% for depression and 12.0% for anxiety in the general population and significantly higher burdens among vulnerable groups, including women. Cultural stigma, gender inequality, and limited healthcare access create substantial barriers to effective care. The chapter explores international collaborations, regional programmes, and prevention strategies addressing these challenges. Effective interventions must be culturally sensitive, challenge traditional gender norms, and integrate mental health services into existing reproductive healthcare systems. Research gaps include the need for robust longitudinal studies, culturally appropriate assessment tools, and intersectional approaches examining how gender interacts with socio-economic status, caste, and religion to impact women’s mental health during their reproductive years.