(Mar. 8, 2018) In honor of International Women's Day, this week's research blog focuses on how women with serious mental illness are disproportionately impacted by the United States' failing mental health system.
Compared with men with the same psychiatric diseases, women with serious mental illness are more likely to be arrested, victimized and have suicidal ideations, and less likely to be housed, employed or have a normal lifespan.
In 2016, the Office of Research and Public Affairs released a background paper on 10 ways women with serious mental illness — typically untreated mental illness — suffer more than the general population or men with the same psychiatric conditions. For the full paper, please click here.
- MORE LIKELY TO BE INMATES
Women with SMI are twice as prevalent as men in state prison populations. - MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMIZED
Adults with SMI are up to 23 times as likely to be victimized, and women are more likely than men. - MORE AT RISK FOR SUICIDAL BEHAVIORS
More than 40,000 Americans take their lives annually. All of them have mental health conditions. - LESS LIKELY TO RECEIVE NEEDED HOSPITAL SERVICES
Women with SMI are hospitalized for shorter periods than men, even when sicker. - MORE LIKELY TO BE RE-INCARCERATED
Women with SMI have much higher recidivism rates than men with the same conditions. - MORE AT RISK FOR SELF-HARM BEHIND BARS
Women inmates with SMI are more dangerous to themselves and more likely to be disciplined. - MORE LIKELY TO LOSE CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILDREN
Women with SMI are on a "fast track" for termination of parental custody. - MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A CO-OCCURRING DISORDER
With co-occurring SMI and substance abuse, women are at greater risk for arrest and incarceration. - MORE VULNERABLE TO NON-PSYCHIATRIC HEALTH RISKS
Women with SMI have higher risks for serious physical health conditions than men. - MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE EMOTIONAL BURDENS
Women with SMI feel more stigma and guilt than others.
Elizabeth Sinclair
Director of Research