Though the visibility of mental illness has been increasing consistently over the last decade, many barriers continue to exist therefore barring individuals in receiving appropriate mental health services. While barriers may typically revolve around access (such as geographic and financial access) and the lack of personnel and facilities, another—and may I add commonly overlooked barrier—is gender.
According to the World Health Organization, gender is a critical determinant of mental illness. Here is what we know:
• Major disparities exist in the rates of common mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints. 1 in 3 women are affected globally.
• (Unipolar) Depression, which is predicted to be the second leading cause of the global disability burden by 2020, is twice as common in women than men and is the foremost mental illness in women’s mental health. In addition, studies and trends to date suggest that depression may be more persistent in women than men.
• The disability of mental illness is staggering for individuals with three or more comorbid disorders. Between women and men, the former are far more affected.
• Current data also suggest gender differences exist over the course of an individual’s lifetime; this includes the age of onset of symptoms, frequency of symptoms, social adjustment, and long term outcomes.
• Many of the aforementioned mental illnesses in addition to the high rates of comorbidity among women are linked to gender roles and gender specific risk factors such as low socioeconomic and social status, gender based violence (i.e. sexual violence), and their relentless care for others.
And this barely scratches the surface.
The question now is, where do we go from here? Thankfully, numerous options exist in reducing gender disparities in mental health and vary across many disciplines, including film.
The film CHULA hopes to be a catalyst in changing the narrative of what it means to have a mental illness by addressing stigma and other beliefs due to cultural norms. The film, written and produced by Ledet Muleta (director of Medixaa Health Services), originated from her observance of the extensive role stigmatization played in the lives of those—directly or indirectly—affected by mental illness.
Set to release in the fall of 2016, the film revolves around a young woman named Chula living with bipolar disorder in the Washington metropolitan area. The film touches upon her upbringing and subsequent rise to fame which is tainted by her battle with mental illness and strict father—one whose inability to distinguish between discipline and emotional abuse leaves scars that follow Chula into adulthood.
Additional themes addressed include the intersection between mental illness and substance abuse, growing up in the diaspora—what others may refer to as third culture kids—and familial and societal pressures.
The film is of course not a comprehensive solution but perhaps a step in the right direction. The goal of the film CHULA is to challenge the stigma of mental illness in the global African community on a platform—film—which will enable a wide impact. In the meantime, let us take our own personal steps in reducing the stigma of mental illness particularly those in regards to gender. Continue to check your own assumptions (and those of others), educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of mental illness, advocate for better services and policies, and lastly be a resource to your peers who may need assistance.
Rahwa Hassen