IZAZOVI MENTALNOG ZDRAVLJA: RODNO SPECIFIČNE PERSPEKTIVE
MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES: GENDER-SPECIFIC PERSPECTIVES

Summary/Abstract: Men and women differ significantly in the perception, clinical presentation, help seeking behavior, and treatment of mental health issues. Women face higher rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and comorbidities, while men are more prone to substance use, impulse control, and personality disorders. Women predominantly seek help at the primary healthcare level, whereas men are hospitalized more frequently, often due to alcohol-related issues. Gender differences are also evident in the social and behavioral patterns of individuals with substance use disorders. Methods: This study presents the results of an analysis of data on outpatient treatment obtained from an internal database and the standardized TDI 3.0 questionnaire. Trends were analyzed based on the type of disorder, gender, and age group, ranging from younger to older adults, in order to assess the current situation and needs. Results: A five-year trend analysis reveals that more women sought treatment across most age groups, primarily due to mental health issues. During the pandemic, there was a significant increase in the number of women seeking treatment, particularly among young women aged 18 25, due to anxiety/stress disorders, as well as an increase in depression among girls under 18. Older women(65+) sought help nearly three times more often than men of the same age, predominantly for psychoorganic disorders. Conversely, a significantly higher proportion of men and a lower number of women were observed in treatment for substance use issues, alongside a decline in the number of men entering treatment compared to the pre-pandemic period, though with slightly better retention rates among women. Conclusion: Mental health preventive programs need address age- and gender-specific characteristics. The rise in young women seeking treatment calls for earlier screening and targeted interventions, especially for depression. Initiatives should also focus on reducing stigma and motivating men with substance use issues to seek help. Strengthening youth prevention programs and fostering intersectoral collaboration are essential for mental health care.

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