October Health – 2025 Report
Female Demographic in United Kingdom
The leading cause of stress among women in the United Kingdom on a population level is often attributed to work-related pressures, followed closely by financial concerns and family or caregiving responsibilities. Surveys like the Mental Health Foundation's 2018 report highlight that juggling work-life balance, managing finances, and the emotional labour involved in caregiving frequently contribute to higher stress levels among women. Gender inequality in pay, workplace discrimination, or societal expectations can further exacerbate these stressors.
How mental health affects the Female demographic differently
Stressors That May Affect Females More than Other Genders
1. **Workplace Inequality**
- Gender pay gap and lack of representation in leadership.
- Experiencing sexism or microaggressions in professional settings.
2. **Work-life Balance**
- Societal expectations for women to prioritize caregiving responsibilities.
- Stress of managing household duties alongside full-time careers.
3. **Safety Concerns**
- Increased vulnerability to harassment or assault (both workplace and outside).
- Stress from needing to practice extra safety precautions daily.
4. **Reproductive Health**
- Issues like pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, and hormonal changes that impact mental health.
- Stress linked to infertility or societal pressure to start a family.
5. **Cultural and Societal Expectations**
- Pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards.
- Gender roles that demand emotional labor and nurturing responsibilities.
6. **Emotional Overload from Caregiving**
- Being expected to care for children, elderly family members, or spouses more than other genders.
7. **Invisible Workload**
- Unseen and undervalued emotional and mental labor, for example, organizing family plans or remembering schedules.
Support
- Employers should provide inclusive workplace policies like flexible hours, childcare support, and zero-tolerance policies for harassment.
- Mental health resources like **Panda’s group sessions** can foster open dialogue and support.
- Ensure healthcare plans include resources for reproductive and mental health challenges.
Data from October Health
What's driving mental health stresses for the Female demographic in South African?
Proactive mental fitness for high performance staff.
Understand the stresses and workplace challenges of your staff and provide them with the tools to protect their productivity and mental health.