The G100 Global Women’s Mental Health dialogue brought together 50 attendees spanning geographies, cultures, and professional backgrounds to strengthen the global conversation on women’s mental health. The session highlighted universal challenges faced by women across different life stages and contexts, while also emphasizing the need for locally relevant yet globally informed strategies.

 

The dialogue featured distinguished panelists who brought diverse expertise and perspectives. Dr. Harbeen Rai Arora, G100 Founder, Chairwoman of the Board, SHEconomy, and Founder of ALL Ladies League (ALL), Women Economic Forum (WEF), and WICCI, set the tone for the discussion. She was joined by Dr. Achi Ndifon Bekomson, Lead Psychologist Counselor at The Psychologist’s Corner and Nigeria Country Chair, as well as Mellisa Foong Sook Ai, Director of Partnership and Possibilities of ACE EdVenture Education Group, Founder of Mental Dojo, and Malaysia Country Chair. Adding further insights were Dr. Bindu Babu, Founder and President of Hearts of Change NGO, Integrative Medicine Practitioner, Mental Health Advocate and Consultant, and USA Country Chair, alongside Nyla Khan FRSA, Founder at Universal Truth CIC and UK Country Chair.

 

The dialogue revealed important global insights. Women across all contexts hesitate to discuss trauma and mental health due to shame and judgment, which underscores the continuing stigma and silence surrounding these issues. Life transitions such as adolescence, motherhood, and menopause consistently emerged as vulnerable stages with high risk for anxiety, depression, and burnout. Access to care remains deeply problematic. In low-resource countries, services are scarce, while in high-resource countries, stigma and cultural insensitivity prevent women from seeking help. The weight of expectations is another pressing concern, as societal roles often force women to prioritize others above themselves, leading to invisible burdens and neglected well-being.

 

The conversation also drew attention to the realities of different countries. In India, high suicide rates, limited integration of mental health in primary care, and the neglect of postpartum depression and menopause were emphasized. Malaysia faces challenges related to cultural conservatism, bullying, and cyberbullying among adolescents, compounded by stigma in accessing care. Nigeria struggles with minimal systemic support, cultural misconceptions, and high rural neglect. The UK benefits from NHS services, yet access inequities and limited menopause care remain significant. In the USA, abundant resources exist but remain underutilized due to stigma, cultural diversity challenges, and systemic fears such as child custody issues for mothers.

 

A critical discussion focused on menopause, which was identified as one of the least addressed areas of women’s mental health despite its vast prevalence. By 2025, over one billion women globally will be in menopause, representing around twelve percent of the world’s population. Depression prevalence among menopausal women is approximately thirty-five percent, yet research and dialogue remain limited. Neerja Birla, G100 Global Chair, Mental Health wing, represented by her team, encouraged the use of the Menopause Toolkit to help women identify early signs and focus on emotional well-being, underscoring the urgency of bringing menopause into mainstream mental health conversations. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pEpxTr-AqWFQf5GfxjaX_5aC2OsnXjUR/view?usp=sharing

 

The dialogue concluded that while contexts differ across continents, women’s mental health is universally shaped by stigma, systemic gaps, and societal expectations. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated and multi-layered efforts. Destigmatization campaigns are essential to break the silence, and gender-sensitive care must be integrated into healthcare systems. Community-based models of support can help ensure accessibility, while stronger dialogue on menopause and life-stage transitions can reduce the neglect of critical phases in women’s lives. With the engagement of 50 global attendees, this report reflects both the diversity of challenges and the shared resolve to foster a healthier future for women worldwide.

 

 

Convenor: 

Secretariat