Reflections on current societal and social context of women’s mental health in Italy

Introduction: The chapter deals with the current situation of women in Italy by examining the impact that Italian social and economic conditions have on women’s mental health. The framework adopted considers women’s mental health as a major public health issue; thus mental health is considered as the effect of sequels of distressing events experienced by women. Main Body: The chapter focus is in particular on three following issues: (a) Italian socio-economic conditions and gender inequalities and their relevance for the prevalence of women’s mental disorders; (b) violence against women and (c) health and mental health of immigrant women in Italy. Data are presented in the main body of the paper as far as the prevalence of mental disorders in Italy and the consumptions of psychotropic drugs, the prevalence of crimes against women (homicide, stalking, sexual violence), and physical and psychological health conditions of immigrant women in Italy. Discussion: The results presented in the body section are discussed considering the sociological and political changes that occurred in the Italian society along the last 30 years. Implications: Recommendations are provided regarding: (a) the extension and the revision of the set of rights and duties that are attributed to the families; (b) the creation of stronger network of opportunities for sharing burdens and providing mutual support as well as supplying services designated and designed to help women; (c) removing loads from women’s shoulders and improving social policies for women. The chapter is concluded with a response section devoted to the consumptions of those medicines that are indicative of a state of suffering, because they can be useful to cope with it or with the social and psychological demands that are causing this suffering. Particular focus is given in the response section on the new channels like Internet through which medicines can be made available.