Urban Women and Mental Health Concerns in India

Abstract

Mental health issues of women are gaining ground in the social science discourse. Universalist ETIC approach is found limiting in dealing with mental health problems. EMIC approach that emphasizes cross-cultural psychiatry and evaluates mental health condition of women from within a culture is found more useful. Worsening socio-economic and political situation has enhanced the rates of common mental disorders and minor psychiatric morbidity. Trauma caused by violence against women should be tackled with the help of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. The paper also discusses mental issues of adolescent girls, substance abusers, HIV/AIDS patients and women in reproductive age group. Media can play progressive role by providing empowering role models for women. Mental health of women in shelter homes, mental hospitals and police custody/prison needs enlightened intervention by the state, non-governmental organizations and civil society. Self-help groups provide democratic space for rebuilding broken lives. To make women’s material reality more secure, liberating and healthy, breakthrough counselling is need of an hour. Sensitization and training of general practitioners and other health personnel with this objective are a must. Ethics of valuing and respecting others must be observed by the counsellor. The carer should know that healing is a part of empowerment.