International psychosocial and systemic issues in women's mental health

Summary To clarify perspectives on women's mental health needs, services and policy, a survey was undertaken of the 54 World Psychiatric Association Section of Women's Mental Health members. To complement this, a workshop was convened at the Berlin Congress of Women's Mental Health. International experts from psychiatry, psychology, nursing, sociology, advocacy groups, and consumers highlighted the importance of the context of women's lives, poverty, education, autonomy, reproduction, relationships, violence, discrimination, infectious diseases, special populations and specific topics. Consensus was that emphasis should be on health promotion, public health, health policy and broad determinants of health, rather than focusing solely on services. Social, economic and cultural aspects must be addressed, as well as biological, for only by a change in society's attitudes, will women realize their full mental health. Strong gender perspectives should guide health policy and services, paying attention to how gender roles may enhance or damage health. Effective multidisciplinary participation, working with women, is essential to facilitate optimal international women's mental health.