Women and Depression Fast Facts

One in four women will experience severe depression at some point in life.
Depression affects twice as many women as men, regardless of racial and ethnic background or income.
Depression is the number one cause of disability in women.
In general, married women experience more depression than single women do, and depression is common among young mothers who stay at home full-time with small children.
Women who are victims of sexual and physical abuse are at much greater risk for depression.
At least 90 percent of all cases of eating disorders occur in women, and there is a strong relationship between eating disorders and depression.
Depression can put women at risk for suicide. While more men than women die from suicide, women attempt suicide about twice as often as men do.
Only about one-fifth of all women who suffer from depression seek treatment.
Depression can - and should - be treated.

For more information, contact:
SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center
800-789-2647
mentalhealth.samhsa.gov
11/21/00

Resources

American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
202-336-5500 or 800-374-2721
www.apa.org
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
703-524-7600 or 800-950-6264
www.nami.org
National Asian Women's Health Organization
250 Montgomery Street, Suite 900
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-989-9747
www.nawho.org
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
301-443-4513 or 800-421-4211
www.nimh.nih.gov
National Mental Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street - 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
703-684-7722 or 800-969-6642
www.nmha.org
Society for Women's Health Research
1828 L Street, NW, Suite 625
Washington, DC 20036
202-223-8224
www.womens-health.org
The National Women's Health Information Center
A service of the Office on Women's Health in the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
800-994-WOMAN
www.WomensHealth.gov

These are suggested resources.
It is not meant to be a complete list.
FastFact6
11/21/00