Preventing Mental Illness by Empowerment of Women

Background and Aim:Mental illness affects one in four people during their lives. It is estimated that 450 million people are experiencing mental illness at any one time. Mental illness is associated with high levels of health service utilization. About one-quarter of patients using primary health care PHC services in developing countries have a mental illness. Despite this substantial burden of disease, mental health care remains a neglected issue, especially in developing countries.Methods: This study is written by review of the new library and Internet articles.Result: Women are more susceptible than men to mental disorders. Possible reasons for this include biological factors such as hormonal regulation; social factors such as the imposition of rigid traditional roles especially those that attribute lower social status to women; and exposure to domestic and sexual violence.Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully. A mental health promotion framework that represents a public health approach to mental illness prevention identifies the following as key social and economic determinants of community and individual mental health:1. Social inclusion: social relationships, involvement in group activities.2. Freedom from discrimination and violence: valuing diversity, physical security, self-determination and control over one’s life.3. Access to economic resources: work, education, housing and money.Conclusion: Promoting mental health by addressing these determinants is a strategy for preventing mental illness, just as promoting exercise and a healthy diet prevents heart disease and diabetes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mental Illness ، Empowerment ، Women