Australia’s mental health system is facing a crisis that’s not getting the attention it deserves—and it’s women, especially those in their 40s and 50s, who are bearing the brunt.
These are the women who hold families together, who juggle careers, caregiving, and community roles, and who, all too often, are left to navigate their darkest moments alone.
The invisible load: Why middle-aged women are slipping through the cracks
Let’s be honest: life doesn’t get simpler as we get older. For many Australian women, the years between 40 and 60 are a perfect storm of responsibilities.
There’s the emotional labour of raising children (sometimes while also caring for ageing parents), the demands of work, and the ever-present pressure to keep everything running smoothly.
Add to that the impact of trauma, family violence, or the relentless grind of caregiving, and it’s no wonder so many women are struggling.
Lesley’s story is heartbreakingly familiar. ‘It was more than the baby blues,’ she shared. ‘I couldn’t be a mum, I couldn’t be myself. I had to do something otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to actually look after my children.’
Lesley’s experience is echoed by countless women across the country who find themselves unsupported and unseen by a system that’s supposed to help.
The statistics paint a sobering picture
According to mental health organisation SANE, nearly one in two Australian mums will face a mental health issue at some point in their lives.
That’s half of all mothers. And yet, the services designed to support them are patchy at best, and almost non-existent for women in midlife.
Rachel Green, CEO of SANE, puts it bluntly: ‘Women are more likely to be primary carers and that’s on top of the general mental load that we know women often carry—organising, worrying, coordinating appointments. That’s a huge burden for Australian women and mums in particular when they’re faced with trying to manage their own wellbeing and that of the family as a whole.’
When the system falls short, women turn to each other
With formal support lacking, many women are forced to seek help elsewhere. Terese, a mother of three living with bipolar disorder, knows this all too well.
‘I developed a depression and it went untreated. Then the following year I had a manic episode,’ she recalls.
‘You can have mental health that’s really well treated, but you can still have episodes. You’ve got to reach out, you’ve got to form second, third-tier social networks around you.’
Online communities have become a lifeline for women like Lesley and Terese. In fact, two-thirds of online enquiries to SANE now come from women.
But even in the digital world, resources tailored specifically for middle-aged women are few and far between.
‘It’s still the mums doing the navigating,’ says Green. ‘They’re doing the searching and trying to find help for themselves and for their families.’
The cost of carrying the load alone
The emotional and physical toll of this invisible labour is immense. When women are left to shoulder the burden of their own mental health—and that of their families—without adequate support, the consequences ripple outwards.
Relationships suffer, workplaces lose valuable employees, and children miss out on the stability and care they need.
It’s not just a personal issue; it’s a societal one. And it’s time we started treating it that way.
What needs to change?
Advocates are calling for a fundamental shift in how we support women’s mental health in Australia.
That means more than just expanding mental health services (though that’s desperately needed).
It also means rethinking how workplaces support women who are juggling carer roles.
‘Employers should be thinking about what are their policies to support mums in the workplace who are playing carer roles, who need to be able to take that time to go and manage appointments, because that’s an investment,’ Green says.
‘I often say that you hire a mum who knows how to get stuff done in the 40-minute window when a newborn sleeps. That’s like a superpower.’
Breaking the silence: Why reaching out matters
Terese’s advice is simple but powerful: ‘Don’t go it alone. Don’t just bottle it all up. It can be overwhelming. So reach out.’
Whether it’s talking to a friend, joining an online community, or seeking professional help, the first step is to break the silence.
Let’s keep the conversation going
Have you or someone you know struggled to access mental health support? What changes do you believe would make the biggest difference for women in your community? How do you think we can better empower women to prioritise and protect their mental wellbeing?
We’d love to hear your thoughts—share your story in the comments below. Your voice might be just what someone else needs to hear today.
Also read: Mental health crisis relief is coming—here’s what you need to know
