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From depression and anxiety to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), mental health conditions can be complex, debilitating – and sometimes life-threatening.
In September last year, the World Health Organization released new data revealing that over a billion people globally are living with mental health disorders. Women, it added, were “disproportionately impacted”.
Meanwhile, the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2023/24, published by NHS England (NHSE) in 2025, showed an increase in the prevalence of common mental health conditions.
It found that 22.6 per cent of respondents aged 16-64 were affected – up from 18.9 per cent in 2014. Young people aged 16-24 saw an even bigger rise – jumping to 25.8 per cent compared with 18.9 per cent in 2014.
The survey also indicated that 27.8 per cent of females have a common mental health condition, compared with 17.3 per cent of males.
So, are women at greater risk – or simply more likely to speak up?
According to Dr David Crepaz-Keay, head of research and applied learning at the Mental Health Foundation (mentalhealth.org.uk), women are more likely to experience caring responsibilities, hormonal fluctuations, financial pressures and gender-based violence or discrimination, “all of which increase vulnerability to mental health problems”.
However, they are also typically more willing to report symptoms, he adds, meaning that “prevalence data reflects both genuine increased risk and higher rates of disclosure”.
Commonly reported mental health conditions among women include anxiety disorders and depressive disorders, he says, while rates of eating disorders continue to rise.
Stay alert to signs
In this feature, we’ll look at commonly reported mental health conditions in more detail, along with ways to help support patients’ mental wellbeing.
Anxiety disorders
Many people experience occasional feelings of anxiety, but if these persist and start to affect daily life, it can become a problem. According to figures published in May 2025 by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 26.2 per cent of women surveyed in the fourth quarter of 2024 reported high anxiety levels, compared with 18.8 per cent of men.
There are different types of anxiety disorders. Symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder may include feeling worried, racing heartbeat, sleep problems, sweating, an upset stomach or nausea. Other types include social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias.
With panic disorder, feelings of fear can strike suddenly and intensely, causing a panic attack. Symptoms might include chest pain, feeling faint or dizzy, shaking or shortness of breath.
This can be frightening and patients – especially those experiencing symptoms for the first time – may confuse it with a heart attack.
“Over a billion people globally are living with mental health disorders”
Depression
Research suggests that women are around twice as likely as men to suffer from depression. Patients may experience a continuous low mood, a lack of energy or motivation, feelings of hopelessness, guilt or numbness, and not enjoying the things they used to.
They may also have trouble sleeping, weight loss or gain, or a low sex drive. Anxiety and depression commonly go hand in hand.
Postnatal depression
The Royal College of Psychiatrists estimate that between 56,000 and 85,000 mothers (10-15 per cent of those who gave birth) across England may have experienced postnatal depression in 2024.
This can develop gradually or more rapidly and should not be confused with the “baby blues”, which tend to pass within the first fortnight after birth.
“Hormonal shifts during pregnancy, the postnatal period and menopause can influence mood regulation and emotional resilience,” says Dr Crepaz-Keay.
“Some women experience increased anxiety, irritability, low mood, or depressive symptoms during these periods. These psychological changes are relatively common and clinically manageable.”
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
OCD is estimated to affect up to four per cent of the population at some stage, with one meta-analysis published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry in 2020 suggesting women were 1.6 times more likely to experience it than men.
Patients experience intrusive or obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours, which can take many forms, such as excessive cleaning, checking or counting.
Eating disorders
According to the charity Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk) it’s estimated that at least 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder – and around three quarters are female.
Conditions include anorexia nervosa, where the patient may try to control their weight by restricting food or exercising a lot.
Symptoms can include weight loss, hair loss, periods stopping, not wanting to dine with others, and/or the growth of fine body hair called lanugo.
Bulimia is another eating disorder, in which patients feel compelled to binge eat before trying to counter this by purging, fasting or over-exercising.
Symptoms might include a sore throat (from vomiting), feeling dizzy or faint, or dehydration. However, it’s important to remember that eating disorders do not always present with visible symptoms.
“At least 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder – and around three quarters are female”
Supporting young patients
As the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey showed, young people are a key group at risk of mental health conditions. “Growing up today is incredibly tough,” says Stevie Goulding, senior manager of Parent and Carer Services at YoungMinds (youngminds.org.uk).
They face pressures such as poverty, academic demands, the online world and an uncertain future.
“Research shows girls and young women are more likely to struggle with their mental health and there are many reasons why this might be,” Stevie says.
“We know they are more likely to experience harmful contact online and to have concerns about their body image.” The charity runs a helpline for families, and says common concerns include anxiety, depression and school problems.
Depending on their circumstances, some young people will overcome their difficulties, while others will need support, says Stevie.
“We often hear that young people need to be more resilient, but this attitude fails to recognise or understand the complex factors affecting their mental health and does nothing to tackle the underlying issues.
“Instead of deflecting away from the root causes of poor mental health by urging for more resilience, we must acknowledge the world looks very different for this generation of young people. To better support them, the institutions and services around them must adapt to these changes.”
If a customer opens up about their mental health, take time to listen and let them know
you are there to help.
How you can help
There are many ways pharmacy teams can create a safe space for patients and their families to discuss their mental health concerns:
1. Be a good listener. “A patient may disclose that they are struggling with their mood, thoughts, feelings or behaviours,” says Stevie.
“They may say they are worried or under a lot of stress, or that they feel low and are struggling day to day. They might share that they’re finding it difficult to cope, and that things are impacting their ability to manage work or school. Some patients may also appear distressed.
“They may seem distracted, find it difficult to concentrate, or struggle to articulate what is going on for them. They might present as nervous or on edge, or even hypervigilant.
Some may express suicidal thoughts or feelings or appear isolated and withdrawn. All of these signs can indicate that they need extra understanding and support.”
2. Give patients some privacy. Pharmacy teams can help by providing a “calm, respectful and non-judgemental environment,” says Dr Crepaz-Keay.
“Demonstrating active listening, maintaining confidentiality and offering access to a private consultation area can help people feel safer discussing sensitive issues.”
There are other things pharmacy staff can do to put patients at ease, too. “Acknowledge the courage it has taken for a young person or family to approach you for support,” says Stevie.
“Validating how they are feeling and showing empathy for the difficulties they’re experiencing can help them feel understood and less alone.
“Offer emotional support where you can. Young people may be distressed or frustrated, especially if they’ve had to repeat their story many times or have found it really hard to access help.
“Try to avoid making assumptions about what young people want or need. Instead, explore things with them and ask for their thoughts on what might help.”
“Are women at greater risk – or simply more likely to speak up?”
3. Sort the facts from the fiction. Dr Crepaz-Keay says a common misconception is that mental health problems are uncommon.
“Another myth is that mental health difficulties are always visible, as many people manage significant symptoms without showing outward signs,” he says. “The idea that people with mental health problems are violent or dangerous is inaccurate and harmful.
“Individuals with mental health conditions are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. Addressing these myths is essential for reducing stigma and improving access to support.”
4. Reassure patients that they don’t have to suffer in silence. “If someone appears distressed or expresses concerns, pharmacy staff should encourage contact with their GP for assessment, and signpost to reputable services such as NHS mental health pathways or local talking therapy providers,” says Dr Crepaz-Keay.
“Urgent concerns should prompt advice to contact emergency services or the local crisis team.”
Appropriate interventions will depend on the patient’s diagnosis, but might include talking therapies, lifestyle measures, and pharmacological options if indicated, says Dr Crepaz-Keay.
Talking therapies are often recommended for common mental health problems
before pharmacological options are tried.
In case of emergency
Alarmingly, a quarter of adults and almost a third of young people who took part in the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity 2023/4 Survey reported having suicidal thoughts at some point.
So, what red flags indicate that a patient might be having a mental health emergency?
“They might be direct about plans they have to end their life, or they might use more ambiguous statements like ‘I don’t want to be here’ or ‘life would be better without me,’” says Stevie Goulding, senior manager of Parent and Carer Services at YoungMinds.
“It’s important that in both instances their thoughts and feelings are taken seriously.”
“Red flag indicators include expressions of hopelessness, acute agitation or distress, sudden changes in behaviour, or any disclosure of thoughts about self-harm, suicide or harming others,” says Dr Crepaz-Keay, head of research and applied learning at the Mental Health Foundation.
“These situations require immediate action. Pharmacy teams should encourage the individual to seek urgent help via emergency services, a GP, or the local crisis team. If the person appears to be at immediate risk of harm to themselves or others, 999 should be called.”
Breast cancer
As with mental health, breast cancer is something that pharmacy teams are well placed to raise awareness of.
It’s the most common cancer among women in the UK, says charity Breast Cancer Now, with more than 55,000 women and around 400 men diagnosed each year. Warning signs include:
- A lump or swelling in the breast, armpit or upper chest
- Changes to the breast (such as size, shape, colour or skin dimpling)
- Nipple changes (such as a rash, discharge or becoming inverted).
The sooner breast cancer is detected, the better.
“If a patient describes a symptom of breast cancer, it’s important for pharmacy staff to acknowledge their concerns and explain that many breast changes are not cancer, but it’s always important to have new or unusual symptoms checked by a GP,” says Jane Murphy, senior clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now.
“If the patient seems anxious or has further questions, staff can also signpost to trusted sources of information and support such as our helpline, which is staffed by a team of expert nurses, our website (breastcancernow.org) or online resources.”
Treatment will depend on the type and stage of the cancer, says Jane, but could include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone (endocrine) therapy to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back, or targeted (biological) therapy to block cancer growth.
Remind customers to regularly self-examine for changes that might indicate breast cancer.
Your part in prevention
“Pharmacy teams are in a unique position, as they see patients throughout their entire breast cancer journey,” Jane continues.
“They can provide support by discussing treatment concerns, including side effects, and by signposting patients to appropriate resources.
“After treatment, pharmacy teams can continue to support patients by directing them to our services, such as our Moving Forward course.”
Pharmacy teams can also help by raising breast cancer prevention awareness among their communities, says Dr Hannah Moody, director of research and engagement at Breast Cancer UK.
Women should, for instance, consider what they eat. While there is no “ideal” diet for breast cancer prevention, diets high in whole and minimally processed foods with lots of fruit and vegetables, as well as high fibre foods may be of benefit in reducing risk, says Dr Moody.
Other simple steps that may help include maintaining a healthy weight, minimising or avoiding drinking alcohol, getting active and also reducing exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which can be present in everyday items.
“We can provide breast cancer prevention education talks to pharmacists and support organisations and community groups in their risk reduction journey,” continues Dr Moody.
“We have an online quiz that pharmacy teams can signpost to, as well as brochures, posters and leaflets to help increase awareness.”
Pharmacy teams can play an important role in raising awareness because they have frequent and trusted contact with patients.
“Everyday interactions provide valuable opportunities to promote breast [cancer] awareness,” Dr Murphy adds. “Pharmacies could display our Touch Look Check (TLC) quick guides or our more detailed booklet.”
Find out more at breastcanceruk.org.uk.
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