Women’s Forum – Quiet Conversations is a community conversation on topics rarely discussed openly. On November 15, attendees will hear from a panel of community and business leaders on a variety of important issues, including: gender discrimination, assault and abuse, sexual harassment, race relations, women and depression, unhealthy relationships and diversity and inclusion. We sat down with panelist Phelica Glass, a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker, to discuss her specific topic, depression in women.
According to the World Health Organization, depression affects 1 in 3 people. Furthermore, depression is twice as common in women. “Not only is it more common in women but it is also more persistent in women,” says Phelica. “Factors impacting the risk are gender-based violence, socioeconomic disadvantage, low income and income inequality, low or subordinate social status and rank and the responsibility for the care of others.”
But are the care-givers getting care for themselves?
It’s been said time and time again that getting help is your best bet when dealing with any form of mental health disorder. However, while women are more likely to seek out help from physicians, explains Phelica, many tend to wait until the symptoms have worsened and are more difficult to recover from. She believes it’s important to be self-aware. New behavioral patterns that have emerged could be warning signs of depression.
“I encourage ladies to pay attention to themselves. Have you gone from being tired all the time to being exhausted? Are the little things that you normally blow off causing you to blow up? Are you sleeping lightly or hardly sleeping? When we sweep these symptoms under the rug, we are allowing our tank to run empty. A dry tank has nothing to give.”
Before exploring outside resources, Phelica recommends that you first start with your physician. “If you are concerned about your irritability, your lack of sleep, your tiredness, your decreased desire for sex, get a checkup. Give the facts and ask honest questions. And if all that is not enough, seek out clinical support.”
In search of a clinician? Phelica suggests using Psychology Today. There you will find a plethora of trained and highly skilled clinicians who will be able to help you with your specific needs.
Phelica firmly believes that the reluctance to discuss this issue more openly is due large in part to stigma. Establishing a safe space for conversation starts with us.
“Let’s start by having open discussions at the dinner table, with friends, with family. Let’s be honest with ourselves and others. Then support one another, not talk about one another. We must move beyond the fear and embrace the fact that we all have issues.”
Be sure to share this event on Facebook, and stay tuned for more Quiet Conversation topics to be shared in the following days.