Beyond Stigma: Enhancing Adolescent Health through Menstrual and Mental Health Awareness
A recent tragic incident in Mumbai, India, highlights the dire need for better education and support around menstrual health. A 14-year-old girl, stressed and in pain from her first period, took her own life. She did not know about the menstrual cycle, which intensified her distress and led to this extreme step(1). This heartbreaking event underscores the lack of awareness among adolescents about menstruation and the need for support systems to help them navigate these experiences.
The intersection of mental and menstrual health remains an underexplored area globally, particularly from an adolescent perspective. This critical need emerged from recognizing how deeply intertwined these aspects are. Menstruation is not merely a physical process; it profoundly affects emotional and psychological well-being. This intersection is particularly significant for adolescents, who navigate puberty, identity formation, and social pressures. Studies have shown that menstrual issues can exacerbate mental health problems and vice versa. For instance, a study conducted in Wardha, India, highlighted the lack of comprehensive information and emotional support for adolescents, which adversely affects their self-esteem and mental health(2). Similarly, ongoing research in Bangladesh is working to establish this critical connection further(3).
In rural areas of India, the subject of menstruation remains taboo, contributing to an environment where adolescents feel compelled to keep their struggles hidden, significantly impacting their emotional well-being. Lack of addressing stigma and shame associated with menstruation also leads to a lack of dignity(4) and acceptance of bodily changes in adolescent girls. Urban adolescents, though somewhat more informed through social media and peer interactions, still experience fragmented knowledge. This information gap during the onset of menstruation can leave young girls feeling isolated and affect their self-esteem(5).
As we approach Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024, themed “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,” it is more important than ever to recognize the need for a comprehensive approach to menstrual health. This theme envisions a world where menstruation-related stigma and taboos are history, and everyone can access the necessary products, education, and period-friendly infrastructure(6). By addressing the mental health aspects of menstruation, we take a significant step towards this vision, ensuring that adolescents not only manage their physical health but also thrive emotionally.
A roundtable discussion led by Uninhibited and Dalberg Design at the national conclave on Menstrual Health in Delhi(7), brought together diverse voices, providing us with significant insights and further directing our efforts to explore the intersection of mental health and menstrual health from a systems and markets perspective, with a focus on young people. This initiative led to the formation of the Menstrual Health x Mental Health Working Group, convening experts and stakeholders to facilitate ongoing knowledge exchange and collaboration. Our goal is to deepen the understanding of this crucial intersection, establish a strong evidence base, and cultivate a community comprising practitioners and implementers.
By shedding light on this intersectionality, the initiative aims to ensure that adolescents receive comprehensive support. As we continue to delve into this critical area, we eagerly anticipate sharing our findings and fostering global discussions to promote menstrual health and overall well-being. We invite experts and organisations who have worked on this intersectionality to join our group or share their knowledge and research. Please find further details about the working group here and reach out to us at himanshi@uninhibited.org.in, we would be delighted to connect with you Together, we can make significant strides towards creating a #PeriodFriendlyIndia and #PeriodFriendlyWorld.
Written By:
Team Uninhibited
