New report calls for more connected women’s mental healthcare
09 Sep 2026
Released during Women’s Health Week, the 2026 Women’s Mental Health Australia report found that one in two women experience mental health issues, while almost one in four experience severe psychological distress.
The report was based on responses from 9,000 women, including cisgender, transgender and gender-diverse participants. It calls for healthcare that considers women’s physical and mental health together rather than treating them as separate issues.
Women living with female-specific physical health conditions were found to experience higher levels of psychological distress than those without these conditions.
The report recommends three key actions:
- Improve access to gender-responsive mental healthcare
- Strengthen training and education across the health workforce
- Invest in a nationally accessible and fully funded telehealth pathway through Medicare Mental Health
The research also found that more women are seeking help. In 2026, 66% of women experiencing mental health issues sought support, compared with 57% in 2025.
GPs and mental health professionals remain important sources of care. However, the number of women seeking support from a GP fell to 49% in 2026.
Cost was the main reason women reported for seeing a GP less often, affecting 31% of respondents. Other barriers included long waiting lists, difficulty finding suitable services, lack of time, embarrassment and fear of judgement.
Some women also said they managed their mental health concerns themselves, while others felt their problems were not serious enough to seek professional support.
The most commonly reported mental health issues remained depression, anxiety, body image concerns and sleep disorders.
Financial pressure and low self-esteem were among the leading factors affecting women’s mental health, followed by sleep problems, self-imposed pressure and concerns about ageing.
The report also highlighted the need for healthcare professionals to have enough time to manage complex and unclear health concerns.
Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis, a GP and women’s health expert, said many health issues affecting women can take time to understand and may involve both physical and emotional factors.
She also raised concerns about increasing fragmentation in healthcare, with patients accessing support through different services, including pharmacies, nurse-led clinics, telehealth and artificial intelligence.
The report supports a more connected approach to women’s healthcare, with better continuity of care and services that understand women’s health needs across different stages of life.
New report calls for more connected women’s mental healthcare
Source: Women’s Mental Health Australia and RACGP newsGP