Meet starts talk on midlife mental health of women

Chandigarh: Experts are raising alarms about the significant yet often overlooked mental health challenges faced by working women, particularly regarding perinatal mental health and the midlife crisis. This issue was the focus of a recent national conference held by the Indian Association for Social Psychiatry.During the conference, Dr Yogendra Malik from the psychiatry department of Rohtak PGI, highlighted the critical need to address perinatal mental health — the period following childbirth. Dr Malik said stress and mental illness increase dramatically for new mothers, but a lack of information often prevents them from getting timely help. He stressed the importance of mental health screening during routine check-ups for pregnant women to ensure their stress is managed effectively. Ignoring a mother's mental well-being during this time can have detrimental effects on both her and her baby.In a related discussion, Dr Pranshu Singh of Jodhpur AIIMS spoke about the midlife crisis affecting working women over 40. This period, often marked by menopause, brings about rapid physical and mental changes that significantly increase stress levels. Dr Singh said a supportive environment is key to preventing this crisis. He emphasised that factors such as a joint family, mutual cooperation, a healthy work environment, and a sense of self-satisfaction are crucial.