Easy Read PowerPoint All Ages – From Teens to Older Women
What is Mental Health?
• Mental health is how we think, feel, and cope with life.
• Girls and women can have mental health problems at any age.
Teenage Girls (Puberty)
• Hormones change during puberty.
• Some girls feel sad or worried before their periods (PMDD).
• - Stress from school, social media, and body image is common.
• UK: 1 in 4 girls aged 16–24 have poor mental health.
Young Women (20s–30s)
• - Time of work, study, or parenting.
• - 1 in 5 women get anxiety or depression during or after pregnancy.
• - Money worries and abuse can affect mental health.
Middle-Aged Women (40–60)
• - Menopause changes hormones.
• - Can feel tired, sad, or anxious.
• - May care for family or feel work stress.
- Suicide rates rise in some women at this age.
What Causes Mental Health Problems?
• Hormonal changes
• - Past trauma or abuse
• - Stress or loneliness
• - Discrimination
• These can happen at any life stage.
What Helps?
• Talk to someone you trust
• - See a doctor or counsellor
• - Eat well, rest, and exercise
- Support groups and medication (if needed
Support in the UK
• - GP or NHS Talking Therapies
• - Childline: 0800 1111
• - Mind: 0300 123 3393
• - Samaritans: 116 123
• - Age UK and Women's Aid
Support in the USA
• - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• - Mental Health America
• - SAMHSA: 1-800-662-HELP
• - Local doctors and Planned Parenthood
Mental Health Challenges in Girls and Women
Girls and women are more likely than boys and men to experience mental health challenges, particularly conditions like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. These disparities are influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors — including hormonal changes, societal expectations, and exposure to trauma.
Key Mental Health Concerns for Girls and Women
Depression and Anxiety
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression and anxiety disorders. These conditions often begin in adolescence and can persist throughout life if not addressed.
Eating Disorders
Conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder affect women disproportionately. Social pressures related to body image and beauty ideals can contribute to their development.
Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation
Rates of self-injury and suicidal thoughts are higher among girls and young women, especially during teenage years and early adulthood.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Women are more likely than men to develop PTSD, often as a result of trauma such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or childhood abuse.
Reproductive Health-Related Mental Health Issues
Some mental health conditions are directly related to reproductive health, including:
· Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
· Perinatal Depression (during and after pregnancy)
· Postpartum Psychosis
· Menopausal Mood Changes
Factors Contributing to Mental Health Disparities
Biological Differences
Hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, and around menopause can impact emotional well-being and increase the risk of mood disorders.
Societal Expectations
Women are often expected to meet high standards related to appearance, caregiving, and emotional labor. Balancing work, family, and social roles can lead to chronic stress and burnout.
Gender-Based Violence and Trauma
Women are more likely to experience sexual violence, domestic abuse, and harassment — all of which are strongly linked to mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Social and Economic Pressures
Women are more likely to experience poverty, unequal access to healthcare, and the burden of unpaid caregiving. These stressors can worsen mental health and limit access to support.
Early Puberty
Girls who go through puberty at an earlier age are at increased risk for mental health challenges, particularly depression and anxiety, due to biological changes and social stressors.
Impact of Mental Health Challenges
Daily Functioning
Mental health conditions can interfere with a woman’s ability to work, study, maintain relationships, and manage daily responsibilities.
Physical Health Risks
Poor mental health can increase the risk of developing physical health conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and autoimmune disorders.
Social Isolation and Stigma
Mental health issues are still stigmatized in many communities, making it harder for women to seek help. This can lead to increased isolation and worsening symptoms.
Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Girls and Women
Early Intervention and Prevention
Providing education, emotional support, and access to mental health resources early in life can help prevent conditions from developing or worsening.
Breaking the Stigma
Campaigns and open conversations about mental health can empower women to seek help and reduce feelings of shame or embarrassment.
Access to Quality, Inclusive Care
Women need mental health services that are affordable, accessible, and culturally appropriate. Care should consider their unique experiences, including trauma, reproductive health, and social roles.
Tackling Social Inequalities
To improve mental health outcomes, it's vital to address the root causes — including poverty, discrimination, violence, and gender inequality.
🟣 Easy Read Version – Mental Health in Girls and Women
This version uses clear language, short sentences, and bullet points. Symbols or illustrations can be added later if needed.
💭 What Is Mental Health?
· Mental health is about how we feel, think, and cope with life.
· Sometimes people feel very sad, worried, or stressed.
· Girls and women can have more mental health problems than boys and men.
❗ Common Mental Health Problems for Girls and Women
· Feeling very sad (Depression)
· Feeling worried or scared (Anxiety)
· Eating problems (like eating too much or too little)
· Hurting themselves or having thoughts about dying
· Feeling scared after something bad happened (PTSD)
· Mental health problems linked to periods, pregnancy, or menopause
🧠 Why Girls and Women Can Struggle More
· Hormones change during periods, pregnancy, and menopause, which can affect mood.
· Pressure to look good or act a certain way can cause stress.
· Violence and abuse – many women have had bad experiences that hurt their mental health.
· Money problems and being the main carer in the family can also be hard.
· Girls who start puberty early may feel worse about themselves.
🚨 How Mental Health Problems Can Affect Life
· It's harder to work, go to school, or look after others.
· Mental health problems can make your body feel unwell too.
· Some women feel alone or embarrassed to ask for help.
💡 How We Can Help
✅ Help early – talk to someone before things get worse.
✅ Don't be ashamed – it’s okay to ask for help.
✅ Support women’s needs – with kind and fair mental health care.
✅ Stop unfair treatment – like violence or poverty, which makes mental health worse.
Would you like this version with symbol support (like Widget or Makaton) or in a printable handout format?
📽️ PowerPoint/Presentation Summary Outline
Here’s how your content could be broken into slides:
Slide 1: Title Slide
"Mental Health in Girls and Women"
· With photo or illustration of diverse women and girls
Slide 2: Why Focus on Women’s Mental Health?
· Higher rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders
· Affected by both biological and social factors
Slide 3: Common Conditions
· Depression
· Anxiety
· Eating Disorders
· Self-Harm & Suicidal Thoughts
· PTSD
· Reproductive-Related (PMDD, Perinatal Depression)
Slide 4: What Causes These Challenges?
· Hormonal changes
· Pressure to look or act a certain way
· Gender-based violence
· Poverty and caregiving
· Early puberty in girls
Slide 5: Effects on Life
· Trouble working, learning, or coping
· Physical health risks
· Feeling alone or ashamed
Slide 6: What Can Help?
· Early support
· Open conversations
· Access to fair, inclusive care
· Tackling abuse, poverty, and inequality
Slide 7: Final Message
“Mental health matters. Let’s listen, support, and stand together.”
Prevalence of Mental Illness in Girls and Women Worldwide
While exact numbers vary by country and region, mental health disorders are a major global issue for females of all ages—from girls in childhood and adolescence to women in adulthood and old age. Research shows that mental illness is more common in women than in men.
🌍 Global Estimates
· Over 970 million people worldwide are living with a mental health disorder.
· Women are more affected than men:
o 11.9% of females globally experience a mental health disorder.
o Compared to 9.3% of males.
· 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their life.
· Young women (especially teens and women in their 20s) are at higher risk.
Most Common Mental Health Conditions Among Women
1. Depression
· Affects around 280 million people worldwide.
· Women are 50% more likely than men to experience depression.
· More common after puberty, especially during hormonal changes (e.g., menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause).
2. Anxiety Disorders
· Around 264 million people live with anxiety worldwide.
· Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with anxiety.
3. Eating Disorders
· Affects 5.5% to 17.9% of young women, often beginning in adolescence.
· Disorders include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
· Linked to body image pressures and trauma.
4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
· Women are more than twice as likely to develop PTSD than men.
· Often linked to experiences such as domestic abuse, sexual violence, or childhood trauma.
5. Suicide and Self-Harm
· Women are more likely to attempt suicide, though men are more likely to die by suicide.
· Rates of self-harm are especially high in adolescent girls and young women.
Key Contributing Factors
· Biological: Hormonal changes throughout life stages can affect mood and mental health.
· Social & Cultural: Gender roles, discrimination, and unrealistic expectations increase stress.
· Trauma Exposure: Higher risk of gender-based violence and abuse.
· Economic Inequality: Women are more likely to experience poverty and financial stress.
· Access to Support: Women are more likely to seek mental health care but may still face stigma.
🧠 Mental Illness Often Starts Young
· Around 75% of mental health conditions begin before the age of 24.
· Adolescent girls may face unique challenges, including:
o Bullying
o Social media pressures
o Body image issues
o Early trauma or abuse
🧠 Easy Read: Mental Health in Girls and Women – All Ages
Mental health means how we feel, think, and cope with life.
Girls and women can have mental health problems at any age.
Some times in life can make mental health harder, like puberty, having a baby, or menopause.
👧 Teenage Girls (starting periods)
· Puberty is when your body changes and you start having periods.
· Hormones (body chemicals) change and can make you feel sad, angry, or worried.
· Some girls feel very down before their period. This is called PMDD.
· Girls are more likely than boys to feel anxious, depressed, or unhappy at this age.
· Things like bullying, body image, or school stress can make it worse.
👩 Adult Women (20s to 30s)
· This is the age when many women go to college, start work, or have children.
· Some women feel very sad or anxious during or after having a baby. This is called postnatal depression.
· Other problems can happen too, like:
o Feeling tired and stressed
o Trouble sleeping
o Worrying a lot
👩🦱 Middle-Aged Women (40 to 60)
· Many women go through the menopause around age 45 to 55. This is when periods stop.
· Hormones change a lot and can cause:
o Mood swings
o Anxiety (feeling very worried)
o Sadness or depression
o Trouble sleeping or thinking clearly
· Women may also be caring for children or older parents.
· Some feel lonely, tired, or burned out.
👵 Older Women (60 and over)
· Older women may feel lonely or sad, especially if:
o Their partner or friends have died
o They live alone
o They have health problems
· Some older women feel depressed but don’t get help.
· Talking to others and getting support can help a lot.
💡 What Can Affect Women’s Mental Health?
· Hormones: changes in your body (like during periods or menopause)
· Trauma: bad things that happened in the past (like abuse or violence)
· Money problems
· Discrimination: being treated unfairly
· Not enough support or care
✅ What Can Help?
· Talking to someone you trust
· Seeing a doctor or counsellor
· Getting good sleep, eating well, and staying active
· Support groups
· Taking time to relax and care for yourself
🧡 You Are Not Alone
Lots of girls and women feel like this.
It’s OK to ask for help.
Mental health is just as important as physical health.
🩺 What Is Men’s Health Month?
Mental Health in Children and Men
Easy
Read PowerPoint
What is Mental
Health?
Support
for Boys, Men, and Children
• Mental
health means how we think, feel, and cope with things in life.
• Anyone
can have mental health problems – children, boys, and men too.
Children's Mental Health
Boys and Mental Health
• - Boys sometimes hide their
feelings.
• - They may act angry instead of
sad.
• - It's OK for boys to cry or ask
for help.
• - Boys can have anxiety, ADHD,
depression, and more.
What Helps Children?
Children and Feelings –
Easy Read
·
Children can feel sad, worried,
or angry.
·
Sometimes, they do not
understand how they feel.
·
Things like problems at
home, school stress, or bullying can make children feel bad.
·
Some children,
especially those with Autism, ADHD, or other conditions, may find it hard to
talk or make friends.
·
These children may spend
more time alone in their rooms and less time with people.
How can we help?
·
We cannot always tell
what someone is thinking unless we ask or listen carefully.
·
Do not force them to
talk. Instead, try to:
o
Encourage them
o
Empower them
o
Let them know you are there
for them
Why might they not talk?
·
They may feel scared
about what others will say or think.
·
They may not want to be
a burden or feel like they are causing problems.
·
There can be many
reasons, and it is okay to take time.
✅ What You Can Do:
·
Be kind
·
Be patient
·
Be a good listener
·
Let them know they are not
alone
Children's Mental Health
•
Children can feel sad,
worried, or angry.
•
- They may not
understand their feelings.
•
- Problems at home,
school, or bullying can affect them.
•
- Some children find it
hard to talk or make friends.
Signs in Children
•
Signs in Children"
•
new bullets = [
•
"Not wanting to go to school",
•
"Crying a lot or being angry",
•
"Sleeping badly",
•
"Saying they feel unwell a lot",
•
"Not talking or playing as much",
•
"Spending more time in their room,
less time with family",
•
"Changes in behavior – acting
differently than usual",
•
"Anything else that may make them feel
sad, angry, or worried"
•
]
•
reasons_slide_title =
"Why Children Might Be Upset"
•
reasons bullets = [
•
"Someone they know has died",
•
"A pet has died",
•
"Parents arguing or fighting a
lot",
•
"Parents separating or
divorcing",
•
"Big changes at home or school"
Help for children.
·
Talking to a counselor.
•
Talking to a trusted
adult
•
- Play, drawing, or
music
•
- School counsellors or
support workers
•
A visit to the doctor
(GP)
Please look online for mental health services elsewhere.
USA Support
Men's and Boys’ Mental
Health
•
Boys sometimes hide
their feelings.
•
- They may act angry
instead of sad.
•
- It's OK for boys to
cry or ask for help.
•
- Boys can have anxiety,
ADHD, depression, and more.
•
Men may feel pressure to
‘be strong’.
•
- Many men keep problems
inside.
•
- This can lead to
stress, anger, or depression.
•
- Men are less likely to
ask for help.
Why Mental Health
Matters for Men
•
- In the UK and USA, men
are more likely to die by suicide.
•
Talking can save
lives.
•
- Mental health help is
for everyone.
What Helps Men and Boys?
•
Talking to someone – a
friend, doctor, or counsellor
•
- Doing things you enjoy
(sports, music, hobbies)
•
- Support groups
•
- Therapy or medication
(if needed)
What Helps Children?
Children and Feelings –
Easy Read
·
Children can feel sad, worried,
or angry.
·
Sometimes, they do not
understand how they feel.
·
Things like problems at
home, school stress, or bullying can make children feel bad.
·
Some children,
especially those with Autism, ADHD, or other conditions, may find it hard to
talk or make friends.
·
These children may spend
more time alone in their rooms and less time with people.
How can we help?
·
We cannot always tell
what someone is thinking unless we ask or listen carefully.
·
Do not force them to
talk. Instead, try to:
o
Encourage them
o
Empower them
o
Let them know you are there
for them
Why might they not talk?
·
They may feel scared
about what others will say or think.
·
They may not want to be
a burden or feel like they are causing problems.
·
There can be many
reasons, and it is okay to take time.
✅ What You Can Do:
·
Be kind
·
Be patient
·
Be a good listener
·
Let them know they are not
alone
Children's Mental Health
•
Children can feel sad,
worried, or angry.
•
- They may not
understand their feelings.
•
- Problems at home,
school, or bullying can affect them.
•
- Some children find it
hard to talk or make friends.
Signs in Children
•
Signs in Children"
•
new bullets = [
•
"Not wanting to go to school",
•
"Crying a lot or being angry",
•
"Sleeping badly",
•
"Saying they feel unwell a lot",
•
"Not talking or playing as much",
•
"Spending more time in their room,
less time with family",
•
"Changes in behavior – acting
differently than usual",
•
"Anything else that may make them feel
sad, angry, or worried"
•
]
•
reasons_slide_title =
"Why Children Might Be Upset"
•
reasons bullets = [
•
"Someone they know has died",
•
"A pet has died",
•
"Parents arguing or fighting a
lot",
•
"Parents separating or
divorcing",
•
"Big changes at home or school"
Help for children.
·
Talking to a counselor.
•
Talking to a trusted
adult
•
- Play, drawing, or
music
•
- School counsellors or
support workers
•
- A visit to the doctor
(GP)
Men's and Boys’ Mental
Health
•
Boys sometimes hide
their feelings.
•
- They may act angry
instead of sad.
•
- It's OK for boys to
cry or ask for help.
•
- Boys can have anxiety,
ADHD, depression, and more.
•
Men may feel pressure to
‘be strong’.
•
- Many men keep problems
inside.
•
- This can lead to
stress, anger, or depression.
•
- Men are less likely to
ask for help.
Why Mental Health
Matters for Men
•
- In the UK and USA, men
are more likely to die by suicide.
•
- Talking can save
lives.
•
- Mental health help is
for everyone.
What Helps Men and Boys?
•
Talking to someone – a
friend, doctor, or counsellor
•
- Doing things you enjoy
(sports, music, hobbies)
•
- Support groups
•
- Therapy or medication
(if needed)
Men’s Health Month is
about raising awareness for health problems that affect boys and men.
It encourages everyone to:
·
Go for regular checkups
·
Eat well and stay active
·
Talk openly about health
problems
·
Take care of their mental
health, too
♿ Including Boys and Men with Disabilities
Boys and men with
disabilities might face extra challenges. Sometimes it’s harder to talk about
their mental health or get the right support. That’s why it’s so important to
listen, include, and stand up for one another.
💬 Talking About Feelings Is a Strength
Some people still
believe that boys shouldn’t cry or talk about their feelings—but that’s not
true. Everyone has emotions. Talking about feelings shows strength, not
weakness. It’s okay to feel sad, scared, or anxious—and it’s even more
okay to ask for help.
🚫 Let’s Break the Stigma
There’s a word
called “stigma”—it means judging someone unfairly for something, like
having anxiety or depression. Men’s Health Month helps us break the stigma. No
one should feel ashamed for feeling overwhelmed, needing support, or seeing a
counselor or therapist.
🧠 Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Men are sadly more
likely to suffer in silence. That’s why it’s important to check in on your
friends, brothers, uncles, dads, teachers, and classmates. If someone is
struggling, don’t ignore it—reach out.
📞 There are always people ready to listen, like school
counselors, mental health services, or trusted adults.
✅ What Can Students and Families Do?
·
Be kind and inclusive to
others
·
Talk about mental health
at home
·
Remind the men and boys
in your life that it’s okay to ask for help
·
Join or support school
campaigns or assemblies about health and wellness
🧡 Final Thought:
We don’t need to tell boys
to “man up.”
We need to tell them:
“You matter. You’re allowed to feel. And we’re here for you.”
Let’s raise this
awareness together—not just in June, but every day.
Mental Health in Girls and Women (UK and USA)
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