Women’s mental health in a context of violence, exploitation and oppression

In this issue we address the sensitive issue of societal attitudes towards women, in particular violence, exploitation and oppression, and their consequences for women’s mental health. The subject of exploitation and abuse of women, by men, is rarely out of the headlines. Yet the prevalence of the problem does not seem to diminish, despite widespread publicity. In their fascinating review of the confluence of partner violence and substance misuse with mental health problems, Cari Jo Clark and Grace Wyshak estimate that up to two-thirds of women are subject to such violence, extrapolating from studies conducted in a wide variety of countries and cultures. They make the point that substance misuse and mental health disorders are both risk factors for such behaviour and outcomes of it.