What is mental health? According to a 2022 definition by the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of well-being that allows individuals to cope with the stresses of life, realize their potential, and contribute meaningfully to their community. In this context, women’s mental health can be described as mental disorders that disproportionately affect women, such as depression and anxiety.
Various socio-economic and environmental factors contribute to these mental health issues, including poverty, sexual violence, domestic abuse, isolation, and substance abuse. Despite its significance, women’s mental health is often overlooked globally, leading to widespread uncertainty about the appropriate measures to manage such conditions. This inspired us to create an informative podcast series focused on mental health, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
We are pleased to present a three-part educational podcast series on Women’s Mental Health, hosted by Suwadou Kah and Nerissa Zhang, youth participants in the 2023 Spur Change program. Spur Change provides a platform for youth engagement in the promotion of SDGs, empowering them to propose solutions to current global issues. This not only broadens their skills and knowledge but also allows them to contribute to both national and international development.
This podcast series is produced in partnership with the Nova Scotia-Gambia Association and aims to raise awareness and deepen understanding of the topic. It will explore the issue in three different contexts: The Gambia, China, and Canada, examining the impact on socio-economic and environmental development in these regions.
We’ve invited a panel of experts well-versed in the field of mental health. These professionals bring firsthand experience dealing with women facing mental health challenges, offering valuable perspectives from three different locales yet addressing some similar issues. The series will provide insights into the causes of mental health disorders in women, management strategies, the challenges faced, and effective approaches to offer comprehensive support for women.
