Mental Health Warning Signs Women Should Never Ignore: Spot Silent Struggles Early and Offer Support

Women often suffer in silence while holding together families, while balancing work and health. Under the guise of doing it all, many suffer from stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. There are small signs, often ignored by women themselves, and the people around them.

Yet, it’s the first acts of help that can truly change things for the better.

Dr. Sandeep Vohra, Founder of NWNT.AI and a psychiatrist, shares insights on how to support women navigating these unseen challenges, the warning signs to look out for, and the red flags women themselves should never ignore.

Supporting Women in Their Silent Battles

“Women often carry silent mental health struggles, balancing personal, professional, and caregiving responsibilities while masking their stress and emotions. The first step to supporting them is acknowledging that these silent battles exist and deserve attention,” Dr. Vohra explains.

Read: World Suicide Prevention Day: How To Truly Support Someone In Crisis

He stresses the need for safe, non-judgmental spaces at home, workplaces, and communities. “Listening without judgment, encouraging open conversations, and creating safe spaces… are crucial,” he says.

Most importantly, Dr. Vohra highlighted the role of self-awareness.

“I strongly emphasise the importance of self-assessment of stress followed by intervention if required. Stress and mental health are not ‘one-size-fits-all’… the goal should be to empower women with awareness about their stress patterns and provide timely resources for care,” he explained.

Warning Signs in Loved Ones

A key reason mental health challenges remain ignored is that people dismiss the signs of it, till it's too late.

Certain triggers, Dr Vohra noted, can heighten risk for suicidal thoughts in women. These include marital or relationship conflicts, domestic violence, financial pressures, workplace inequities, and unresolved trauma.

“To address this gap, we can use stress-mapping tools that help individuals and families track mental well-being in real time,” he suggests. “The aim should be to identify warning signs early, encourage timely support, and ultimately prevent tragedies that are otherwise avoidable.”

Mental Health Red Flags Women Shouldn’t Ignore

While occasional stress is part of modern life, there are certain signals women must treat as urgent. Dr. Vohra lists these as:

• Persistent sadness or irritability
• Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
• Sudden changes in appetite
• Unexplained fatigue or headaches
• Loss of interest in once-loved activities
• Anxiety that interferes with daily life

Dr Vohra highly recommends not dismissing these signs and seeking help early. By breaking stigmas around seeking mental health support, can we truly help improve someone’s life. As Dr. Vohra added, “Recognising stress and its impact is the first step towards managing it effectively and protecting overall wellbeing.”