Businesswomen are in a meeting (Adobe Stock Photo)
By Anadolu Agency
March 08, 2026 11:56 AM GMT+03:00
A clinical psychologist has warned that women who manage several roles at once, such as being mothers and working professionals, face serious mental health risks.
Pelin Ankay Kudu, a clinical psychologist at Medipol Mega University Hospital, said that trying to balance many responsibilities often causes women to overlook their own well-being.
These comments were made for March 8, International Women’s Day.
Medipol Health Group said the day should be more than a celebration; it should also be a time to discuss women’s living conditions and their right to mental health care.
“Women frequently assume multiple roles simultaneously, such as mother, spouse, employee, and daughter, and in doing so, they often neglect their own needs,” Kudu stated.
She pointed out that people are still learning about women’s mental health. “Research shows that mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and burnout are more common in women than in men,” she added.
‘We must strengthen access and raise awareness’
Kudu expressed concern about unequal access to mental health services, saying that in some parts of the country, these services are still hard to find. She said this issue should be discussed on International Women’s Day.
In Turkey, some civil society organizations and institutions have begun establishing dedicated women’s mental health units. These efforts must be supported, she said. To improve women’s access to mental health care, we need to strengthen existing support systems and increase public awareness.
Kudu stressed that violence against women must be understood beyond its physical forms, stating that psychological abuse is an equally serious concern.
“Being silenced, isolated, or forced out of professional life are all forms of psychological violence,” she said. “Protecting women’s physical and psychological safety is critically important.”
Kudu said International Women’s Day is an important chance to discuss these issues. She encouraged individuals and society to take women’s mental health more seriously.
“It is vital that women themselves recognize and attend to their own psychological needs,” she said.
“Women’s mental health is not a private matter; it has deep social dimensions. We must raise awareness and build stronger support mechanisms to address it,” Kudu concluded.
March 08, 2026 11:58 AM GMT+03:00