Connecting with communities

Women and girls are three times more likely to experience common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety and traumatic stress related disorders than men and boys. Several risk factors explored throughout this report are known contribute to this higher prevalence: caring responsibilities, poverty, unemployment and debt, isolation, and domestic and sexual violence [22].

We also know young women who have a probable mental health condition in Torbay far outweigh the numbers of young men, see figure below. (Figure 2)

Fig 2: Percentage of young people with a probable mental disorder – England (2023)
Source: NHS England – Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2023, using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

Self-harm is a significant public health issue in Torbay and nationally. Data suggests that self-harm prevalence amongst young people has increased significantly in England over the past 20 years [23] [24]. However, the exact numbers of people affected by self-harm can be difficult to quantify as available data is taken from those who seek medical assistance as oppose to those who don’t.

Hospital admission rates show a concerning trend in Torbay, where hospital admission rates for self-harm and eating disorders among females exceed the national average for England [25]. While the number of hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis of anorexia, bulimia, or other eating disorders amongst under 18s is small, only the most severe cases receive hospital interventions. Torbay has had a consistently significantly higher rate of admissions of under 18s (all persons- male and female combined) with a primary diagnosis of an eating disorder than England from 2017/18 onwards. In 2021/22 the Torbay rate was 90.3 per 100,000 (England- 32.8). Most hospital admissions for an eating disorder were young women. Local estimates for self-harm suggest that hospital admissions only represent around 5% of the children and young people who are self-harming in Torbay [26].

The challenge of loneliness is keenly felt by women, who are 1.2 times more likely than men to be chronically lonely [27] and is not exclusive to older women. Underlying reasons connecting to other disparities highlighted in this report such as caring responsibilities or economic exclusion and poverty. Another factor that comes into play in Torbay are those who move into the area, often following retirement who have few, if any social and community links.

In Torbay there are 311 registered charities [28] and an unknown number of community interest companies. For those focused purely on women and girls, they can focus on activities or are support based groups, all support women’s health, and wellbeing. In addition to these, further services will be offered specifically to women through commissioned services or directly provided by our partners. Each is unique in their offer.

There remains unmet need however, and public services and the voluntary sector are challenged to meet the full range of needs for our populations. We have heard often that there are gaps in mental health support, with much focus on high end support, which means that women often must either access private support or go without. The stories from women we have spoken to highlight the importance of community-led peer support.