The Cost of Putting Yourself Second

WE’RE NUMBER 2! –

Sept. 9, 2021 – In Australia, one in six women will suffer from depression in their lifetime. Add that to one in three women who will suffer from anxiety, and per ABS data, more than one in 10 women experience “very high levels” of psychological distress.

The statistics are undoubtedly alarming, and perhaps even more so when considering this data came from the 2017-2018 financial year. While there have been movements in the mental health space since then—whether it’s the downward trend in social stigma, or increased support services and initiatives currently being actioned by the government (more on that later), the crux of this issue remains—especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The growing gap was part a consequence to the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw female dominated professions including childhood education, health care and aged care experiencing job losses and hourly cuts.

A knock on effect from these cuts? Well, a job can be everything. It can bring a sense of identity and purpose. When that’s taken away, the effect on our mental health can be debilitating.

But with or without jobs, mental health struggles can prompt us to revert back and focus on the things we can control as a coping mechanism. In the middle of a pandemic, that might translate to a mother who subconsciously becomes the one who looks after the kids, cooks dinner and does the washing while their husband works.