March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions, leadership and resilience of women in every corner of our communities. We recognize women who have broken barriers in business, science, government and community service. But if we are truly committed to honoring women’s progress, we must also confront a growing challenge that too often goes overlooked: women’s mental health.

Across the United States and here in New Jersey, women are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety and depression. In fact, women are more than twice as likely as men to suffer from a mental illness like anxiety disorders and depression, and more likely to attempt suicide. Despite these realities, the mental health needs of women are still too often dismissed as simply part of the “burden” women carry in their daily lives.

The truth is far more complex.

Women frequently balance multiple roles simultaneously — career responsibilities, caregiving for children, aging parents or both, community involvement and managing households. These pressures are intensified by social expectations that women should handle it all while appearing resilient and put-together. Over time, that constant pressure takes a real toll.

Hormonal changes also play a significant role in women’s mental health across their lives. From postpartum depression to perimenopause and menopause, women experience biological shifts that can dramatically affect mood, sleep, cognition and overall wellbeing. Yet these issues are still under-discussed and often under-treated in our healthcare system.

As a mental health professional, I can tell you the consequences of ignoring women’s mental health are profound. Untreated mental health conditions can impact families, workplaces and entire communities. Mothers struggling with depression may have difficulty accessing the support they need. Working women facing chronic stress may experience burnout that affects productivity and career advancement. Women in midlife navigating hormonal changes often report feeling invisible in both medical research and workplace policy.

How can we do better on women’s mental health?

We can — and must — do better. Here’s how:

1. First and foremost, we need to normalize conversations about women’s mental health. Too many women still feel stigmatized when seeking help. Mental health should be treated with equal urgency and legitimacy as physical health.
2. Second, healthcare systems must prioritize research and treatment specifically focused on women. Historically, medical research has disproportionately focused on men, leaving gaps upward of 70% in understanding conditions that uniquely affect women, particularly in areas such as postpartum treatment and perimenopause and menopause.
3. Third, employers and policymakers should recognize the importance of mental wellness supports. Access to mental health services and supportive workplace cultures can make a meaningful difference for women balancing multiple responsibilities.

As CEO of Preferred Behavioral Health Group, one of my favorite sayings is “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” Individuals who are not emotionally and mentally supported cannot be expected to perform or take care of others.

Finally, communities must recognize that supporting women’s mental health strengthens our society as a whole. When women are healthy, physically and mentally, families are stronger, workplaces thrive, and communities prosper.

Women’s History Month is about celebrating progress. But it is also about recognizing the work still ahead. If we truly want to honor the women who have shaped our past and empower the next generation of women leaders, we must make women’s mental health a priority, not just in March, but every month of the year.