Understanding Gender and Mental Health

Abstract

The introductory chapter lays the theoretical foundation for the theme ‘Gender and mental health’ in the contemporary socio-cultural scenario in India. It attempts to present the need to discuss why gender matters in mental health and explains the relationship between gender and health-seeking behaviours. It presents the diverse approaches related to mental health while thrusting on the significant socio-cultural determinants including gendered socialization of boys and girls, expected roles and responsibilities, behavioural traits and access to resources. The chapter seeks to interlink the issues of mental health with an attempt to develop a deeper understanding of micro-level issues within the overall context of the perpetuating nature of inequities from a gender lens.