UNMASKING GENDER INEQUITY | SPOTLIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH

Produced in partnership with:

JOIN THE #ALSOME MOVEMENT TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC’S IMPACT ON WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH

How are women being impacted? 

The mental health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are staggering; public health countermeasures have caused secondary impacts including isolation, job losses, increased caregiving responsibilities and increased risk of exposure to the virus through work in essential industries. Women are shouldering many of these burdens, and their mental health is suffering. 

Spotlight on Women’s Mental Health is the next piece in our Unmasking Gender Inequity series. It aims to reveal the true realities of mental health for women and provides resources that support women throughout the rest of the pandemic, our recovery, and beyond. Read the media release here.

Your role:

The release of Unmasking Gender Inequity: Spotlight on Women’s Mental Health is supported by a social media campaign called #AlsoMe. ‘Me’ portrays the face you put forward to the world, while the ‘Also Me’ reveals the reality of the situation for that person.

We’re shining a light on the #AlsoMe moments of mental health. Sometimes, we feel the need to put our best face forward, when in reality we may be struggling with stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, low moods, and more. We want women to know that it’s okay not to be okay, and that no one should suffer alone or be ashamed of their struggles. 

How to get involved: 

1. Photo: share a collection of the “Me, #AlsoMe” social graphics below that resonate with you the most on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn
2. Caption: 
   • In your post’s caption, share your #AlsoMe story of how the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on your mental health — this will show the strong women in your network that it’s okay not to be okay and no one should suffer alone. 
   • Share our key message: The mental health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are staggering; public health countermeasures have caused secondary impacts including isolation, job losses, increased caregiving responsibilities and increased risk of exposure to the virus through work in essential industries. Women are shouldering many of these burdens, and their mental health is suffering.
   • Don’t forget to share a link to this page (bcwomensfoundation.org/alsome), so other women can also support the campaign too.
3. Tag us: 
   • Instagram: @bcwomens
   • Facebook: BC Women’s Health Foundation
   • Twitter: @BCWomensFdn
   • LinkedIn: @BCWomensHealthFoundation
4. Hashtag: #AlsoMe

Here are some startling facts you can also share: 

• Two thirds of women that are essential workers are experiencing worry, anxiety or stress, and two in five are experiencing depression. 
• Women’s mental health has been heavily impacted by the pandemic: 63% of younger women (those aged 35 and under) and 37% of women aged over 35 reported feeling worry, anxiety or stress.
• Indigenous women and those from a minority community are more inclined to rate their emotional health poorly (27 per cent and 35 per cent more likely respectively) since the beginning of the pandemic.
• Concerns regarding finances and job security has resulted in nearly half (44 per cent) of women stating their health has been affected in some way.

Download the SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH:

(including a list of free, evidence-based virtual resources to support women’s mental health)