Women’s Mental Health: The Unchartered Terrain

Gender oppression is a dominant factor that impacts the development of and recovery from mental disorder. The current chapter begins by provenance of mental health differences between men and women to sex and gender distinctions and signifies the role of culture and development to gain a better understanding of mental health and illness. Unfolding the intricate entwining of individual, socio-cultural, as well as structural factors in society and its impact on psychiatric labelling, it necessitates a deeper understanding of socio-cultural factors in aetiology of mental distress, epidemiological inequalities in diagnosis of mental disorders and opportunities for treatment as well as remission. The chapter concludes by delineating significant multi-layered protective factors to promote mental health and well-being among varied sections of populations.