Women
Women and mental health survey
We're asking all members to take our survey designed to help us understand the challenges faced by women in our workforce, and the current experience of women and girls accessing mental health services. The survey closes January 31.
This year, we celebrated IWD (8 March 2023) with a range of activities – see our IWD page for more details.
We are proud of our history with many women in senior positions, including our first female president in 1939, Dr Helen Boyle.
At the College, we work to fight gender inequalities – examining why gender differences occur within the field of mental health. These differences occur particularly in the rates of common mental disorders - depression, anxiety and somatic complaints. Reducing the overrepresentation of women who are depressed would contribute significantly to lessening the global burden of disability caused by psychological disorders.
Though many mental illnesses seem to be gender-neutral, women often have different signs and symptoms, requiring different treatments and services to men.
At the College, we have a Special Interest Group for Women and Mental Health which works to improve the mental health of women everywhere. During March 2021, they celebrated their 25th anniversary by highlighting the stories of 25 amazing women, who were members, fellows, affiliates or trainees. These achievements were shared to coincide with International Women's Day 2021.
By increasing visibility we are helping to create an equal world, which we believe is an enabled world.
If you have any questions about our gender equality work, please contact us at equality@rcpsych.ac.uk.
Blog posts relating to women and gender equality
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International Women's Day 2024: Dr Stella Kingett
Dr Stella Kingett reflects on her first year as Women and Mental Health Special Interest Group Chair and her time spent 'listening to inspirational women and finding the data'.
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IWD 2023: Embracing equity, promoting excellence
Dr Ananta Dave discusses the collective soul searching on this years' International Women’s Day.
Dr Ananta Dave -
IWD 2023: Consider the impact you can make for women
Dr Fabida Aria discusses the journey that womankind has been on, and how far we need to go still.
Dr Fabida Aria -
International Day of Women and Girls in Science - thoughts from a foundation doctor and a pharmacist
To mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we spoke to Dr Elohor Ijete, a foundation doctor who would like to train in psychiatry and Omolola Vincent, a ...
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The 25 Women project: stories and storytellers
Dr Beena Rajkumar discusses our 25 women and the courage they have shown to own their stories and to share them.
Dr Beena Rajkumar -
WMHSIG 25th anniversary reflections – Dr Ros Ramsay
Former WMHSIG Chair Dr Ros Ramsay reflects on her own life and the common challenges women have faced in the profession.
Dr Ros Ramsay -
The 25 Women project: linked journeys of medicine, psychiatry and life
Dr Jo Talbot Bowen introduces the latest five women that are featured in the 25 Women project.
Dr Jo Talbot Bowen -
The 25 Women project: identifying barriers and reducing stigma
Dr Julia Barber discusses the problems that cause women to be underrepresented in academia and practice and why diversity in our workforce remains inadequate.
Dr Julia Barber