Women feeling the stress
Experts say women's mental health is deteriorating as more and more seek psychiatric help. *
The combination of keeping a job, raising children and looking after elderly parents is believed to be resulting in growing numbers of women suffering from nervous breakdowns.
Of the 1.2 million referrals for NHS psychiatric services last year, women accounted for more than half (56 per cent) and the gap between the sexes is increasing.
A survey of psychiatric services carried out in January ** found that the proportion of women suffering from depression and anxiety since the mid 90s has grown by 12 per cent, while there was no increase in mental problems among men.
Experts have attributed these statistics to the growing number of elderly parents living into their 80s and 90s, which is adding to the caring responsibilities of women.
Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of mental health charity Mind, said: “Undoubtedly, there is a combination of factors affecting women which mean they face greater challenges, maintaining work-life balance and caring responsibilities.
“Where there is increasing pressure at work and at home, it is often women who are expected to bear the brunt.”
Most of Westfield Health’s cash plans include a 24 hour freephone counselling and advice line, which enables policyholders to speak to a fully trained counsellor, lawyer or medical adviser at any time of the day or night.
Some corporate plans also offer up to six face to face counselling sessions, which give policyholders the opportunity to talk through issues in person.
In addition, a GP telephone consultation service is available on many of Westfield’s plans. The service enables policyholders and their resident family members to speak to a fully qualified UK GP at a time convenient to them, from anywhere in the world.
As the GP will take into account personal medical history, they are, in many cases, able to provide a diagnosis of symptoms and recommend an appropriate course of action.
** NHS Information Centre
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