This International Women’s Day, we’re reflecting on equity in the UK.

In the past few years, the gender pay gap has decreased slightly. There has also been a notable increase in the number of women in leadership positions across various industries, including politics, business, and academia.  

However, much work still needs to be done to ensure equity for women in the UK. Women continue to face barriers to accessing equal opportunities and pay and adequate medical care, and gender-based violence and harassment remain prevalent issues. Efforts are ongoing to address these challenges, including initiatives to increase women’s representation in decision-making positions and to provide better support and resources for victims of gender-based violence. 

One area where women are particularly vulnerable is mental health. Women with complex mental health needs are often left behind by systems not designed to address their unique challenges. They are disempowered, marginalised, and denied the needed services to heal and thrive.  

Did you know? 

1. Women are more likely to experience a common mental health disorder than men. In 2021, the prevalence of a common mental health disorder among women in the UK was 19.7%, compared to 12.5% for men (Source: NHS Digital). 
2. Women from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities in the UK are more likely to experience mental health problems than their white counterparts. For example, the suicide rate among young BAME women in the UK has increased by 83% since 2013 (Source: Race Equality Foundation). 
3. Women in the UK are more likely to access mental health services than men. However, they still face significant barriers to accessing care. In 2021, only 29% of referrals to NHS talking therapy services were for men, but women still reported longer waiting times andmore difficulty accessing care (Source: NHS Digital). 
4. A survey by Agenda in 2017 found that only 15% of mental health trusts had a specific strategy for women and girls. 
5. According to the Women’s Resource Centre, as of 2018, women-only mental health services make up just 5% of England’s total mental health budget. 
6. A study by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2019 found that women with severe mental illness were more likely to experience inequality, discrimination and stigma than men. The same study found that women with severe mental illness were less likely to receive adequate treatment and support than men, despite being more likely to seek help for their mental health. 

As a user-led charity, we believe in standing together with these women for the long term, offering them trust, relational security, and guidance to help them build positive pathways under their control.  

To achieve true equity for women in the UK, we must continue to work towards dismantling these barriers and biases and provide women with the support and resources they need to succeed. 

That’s why we’re calling on potential fundraising partners to stand with us and help make a real difference in the lives of women with complex mental health needs in prisons, hospitals, and the community. 

Vitality CBD has joined our efforts this month and is supporting our Standing Together Campaign with a donation of £500 and by spreading awareness about our work with their community of clients.  Established in 2018, they are a UK-based CBD brand providing customers with trustworthy, safe and simple-to-use CBD. Safety and consumer confidence are at the heart of their philosophy, all of their products are FSA approved, and they conduct third-party lab testing on every batch of CBD they use.  

They have also shared a 15% discount code with our community, valid today only on their website: WISH23. 

We’re looking for like-minded, passionate organisations and groups to join forces with us!  

If you know of or are part of a company that has a genuine interest to make a positive impact in the lives of women in the UK, please get in touch. 

Our Standing Together campaign is still live, and we could use any support to reach our goal of raising £10.000 to support the ongoing delivery of our services. We are currently at 66%, help us get to 100%!  

Could you stand with us for women’s mental health? Get in touch!