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You’re not alone

All women go through ups and downs. You might be feeling overwhelmed, low, anxious or unsure how to cope. Sometimes it’s hard to find the space, support or time to focus on yourself – especially if you’re juggling lots of roles.

This page shares some of the challenges women may face, and where you can find understanding, supportive help in Leeds.

What can affect women’s mental health?

There’s no one reason why things can feel hard. But some of the most common pressures that can affect women include:

  • juggling caring responsibilities or emotional labour
  • going through relationship issues or abuse (past or present)
  • feeling isolated, lonely or unsupported
  • difficult experiences in pregnancy, birth or after having a baby
  • experiencing baby loss
  • managing periods, perimenopause, menopause or hormonal changes
  • feeling judged for how you parent or look after others
  • dealing with pressure around body image and unhelpful gender stereotypes 
  • low self-esteem
  • racism, discrimination, or gender-based violence
  • financial pressures or job stress

Why women’s mental health matters

  • Women are more to experience common mental health problems like anxiety, depression.
  • Around 1 in 4 women in England have a common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression. Among young women aged 16 to 24, it’s even higher – about 1 in 3.
  • Many women put their own needs last when they’re caring for others. Most carers are women, and almost 8 in 10 say their caring role has affected their mental health.
  • Women are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and make suicide attempts than men. (But men are 3 times more likely to take their own life than women.)
  • Hormonal changes across life stages – such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause – can also affect mood and wellbeing.
  • Many women feel their voices go unheard when seeking care: over 4 in 5 women (84%) have reported that at times, healthcare professionals didn’t truly listen to them.

Support in Leeds for women

You’re not alone – there’s support in Leeds that understands the experiences and pressures many women face.

Some services are just for women, and others work in ways that feel safer or more supportive for women.

Specialist services include:

  • Women & Girls Alliance Leeds – a partnership of organisations offering support for mental health, domestic abuse, education and training and more
  • Women’s Counselling and Therapy Service – free or low-cost counselling and psychotherapy for women and girls in Leeds
  • Leeds Women’s Aid – for support around domestic abuse, including 24/7 helpline, emergency accommodation, discreet drop-in services, healthy relationships programmes, and legal support and advocacy
  • Shantona Women’s Centre – offers a unique range of support services focused on empowering women and strengthening families
  • Getaway Girls – empowering girls and young women aged 11-25 to learn new skills, build confidence, resilience, and raise aspirations 
  • Together Women – supports women and girls across the North of England, with particular focus on women who are involved in, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system
  • Women’s Health Matters –  offers support for disadvantaged and marginalised women and girls to have a fair chance at a better life. They specialise in one-to-one support, group work, and peer support
  • The Leeds Perinatal Mental Health Service – provides specialist support to women experiencing significant mental health difficulties during pregnancy and the first year following a child’s birth
  • Forward Leeds Family Plus Service – provides parents who are in drug and alcohol treatment with additional support, specifically for family life such as groups and activities for families to spend positive time together, exploring challenging behaviour within children and ways to deal with this, and support to build relationships with schools/nurseries
  • Bahar Women’s Association – offers support for women and families with asylum seeker backgrounds including free English classes, food relief, and community integration
  • Complete Woman – offers support to women from marginalised communities such as education and training, a local food pantry, and a mental health hub
  • Dosti Group – a wellbeing group for South Asian women, offering culturally appropriate activities to help improve mental health and wellbeing

Browse our directory for more women’s groups in Leeds

You can also speak to your GP or self-refer to Leeds talking therapies

Looking after yourself and staying connected

Looking after your mental health can also mean making time for yourself, getting outside, or doing something that brings you joy.

Worried about someone else?

If you’re worried about a friend, colleague or family member, trust your instincts. You don’t have to have all the answers – listening and showing you care can mean a lot.

Other pages you may find helpful

Try our directory, contact your GP, or ask a social prescriber for help using MindWell.

National websites and information for women

Last updated: October 2025
Next review due: October 2026

References and bibliography available on request.