Supporting women in Bristol – 25 years landmark for Womankind a local charity

On 25^th November Womankind, Bristol Women’s Therapy Centre will celebrate its 25^th Anniversary. The charity was set up in 1986 and since that time has helped hundreds of women in Bristol to improve their mental health and wellbeing. 

Statistics show that one in four adults experience mental illness at some point during their lifetime and one in six experience symptoms at any one time – making mental illness the largest single cause of disability in our society.  

The recorded rates of anxiety and depression are between 1½-2 times higher in women than in men and the rates of self-harm are 2-3 times higher in women than in men and at least one new mother in ten will experience postnatal depression.  Therefore, there is a growing need for specialist support services for women such as those offered by Womankind.

Domestic abuse is a particular problem with one in four women experiencing it in their life time.  Domestic violence can have an enormous effect on women’s mental health. It is now well documented that abuse, (both in childhood and in adult life), is often a major factor in the development of depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders. Womankind offers support for women who have experienced domestic abuse at any point in their lives and aims to help women break the cycle of abuse.

Women don’t need to suffer in silence as there are many specialist support services that can help, including Womankind’s confidential Helpline:  Tel: 0117 9166461 or 0845 458 2914