A study on the mental health problems faced by women residing in urban and rural areas of Kamrup District of Assam, India

Abstract

A healthy woman is the backbone of a healthy family and a healthy society. So the health and happiness of the family in particular and the welfare of the society in general, depend on the health and happiness of women. But in our
society women are being neglected and ill-treated and their needs, views, experiences do not get the recognition they deserve. Women are expected to live like shadows of men. Even after independence and in spite of the Indian Constitution providing equal rights to women, in general, the status of women are in our society is deplorable. They are disproportionately affected by mental health problems and their vulnerability is closely associated with marital status, work and roles in the society. Generally, women face dilemmas and conflicts in the context of marriage, family relationships, dysfunctional family life, reproduction, childrearing, death, divorce, ageing, poverty, feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, loneliness, education and work. The investigator on several occasions noticed women being subject to exploitation as a result of which they had to go through a lot of mental health problems. With this view in mind, a study was conducted on mental health problems faced by women residing in urban & rural areas of Kamrup District of Assam, India.