The Intersection of Women’s Mental Health and Safety: Lessons from the Kolkata Case

Women’s mental health and safety are deeply connected, and it’s a link that often goes unnoticed. As a woman, the environment you live in, the level of safety you feel, and the risks you face all play a huge role in your mental well-being. The Kolkata case is a powerful reminder of this connection. In this incident, the dangers women face in public spaces were exposed, and it highlighted how such experiences can take a toll on mental health.

In this blog, we’ll explore how safety issues, particularly in urban areas, can impact your mental health as a woman. We’ll also look at the psychological effects of living in fear or facing violence, and we’ll break down key lessons we can learn from the Kolkata case to better understand and support women’s mental health. Whether you’ve personally experienced these issues or are trying to better understand them, this discussion will shed light on why safety is more than just a physical concern—it’s also a matter of mental well-being.

Understanding Women’s Mental Health

Women’s mental health is shaped by a range of factors that are unique to their experiences. As a woman, you may face specific challenges related to societal expectations, gender roles, and the pressures of balancing various responsibilities. These factors often affect your mental well-being in ways that might not be obvious at first.

Research shows that women are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than men. This is partly because women tend to be exposed to higher levels of stress, both at home and in the workplace, and are more vulnerable to gender-based violence and harassment. When you’re constantly dealing with these pressures, it can lead to chronic stress, low self-esteem, and feelings of helplessness.

On top of this, women are often expected to fulfil multiple roles, such as caregiver, professional, and homemaker, which can create a constant strain on their mental health. If society expects you to be strong, nurturing, and always “in control,” it can be hard to ask for help when you’re struggling. These societal norms can make it difficult to prioritise your mental health, even when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Mental health disorders among women also stem from the unique biological and hormonal changes you go through, such as pregnancy, menopause, and even the menstrual cycle. These changes can trigger or worsen conditions like depression and anxiety, making it even more important to be aware of your mental health and seek support when needed.

The Link Between Safety and Mental Health

Your sense of safety has a profound impact on your mental health. When you don’t feel safe at home, work, or public spaces, your mind is constantly on alert. This heightened state of fear or anxiety can have long-term effects on your emotional well-being.

For many women, safety concerns are a daily reality. Walking down the street at night, using public transportation, or even working late hours can feel risky. This fear isn’t just in your head. It’s often based on real experiences or the knowledge of what could happen. Studies show that women who feel unsafe in their environment are more likely to suffer from chronic stress, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions like PTSD.

Living in a state of constant fear can wear you down. It’s exhausting to always be on guard, and this can affect your mood, sleep, and ability to focus. Over time, the stress of feeling unsafe can lead to depression or worsen existing mental health issues. You might start to avoid certain places or activities, which can limit your freedom and independence, further impacting your mental health.

On the other hand, when you feel safe, your mind is free to relax. You can focus on your work, relationships, and personal growth without the constant worry of danger. Safety is essential for mental well-being because it gives you the mental space to heal, recover, and thrive.

Research also shows that women who have experienced violence or harassment often suffer long-term mental health effects. Whether it’s physical assault, emotional abuse, or sexual harassment, these experiences can leave deep psychological scars that don’t just go away. Without proper support, these scars can lead to ongoing issues like anxiety, depression, or even substance abuse.

Case Study: The Kolkata Incident

The Kolkata case of August 2024, where a doctor at RG Kar Medical College was brutally raped and murdered, shocked the nation and brought into focus the urgent issue of women’s safety and its deep connection to mental health. This tragic incident isn’t just a horrific crime; it symbolises the vulnerability women face in environments where they should feel safe, like workplaces and educational institutions. The psychological aftermath of such a violent event reverberates far beyond the individual directly involved, affecting women everywhere who identify with the fear and danger.

Many women experience what psychologists refer to as “vicarious trauma,” where simply hearing about or witnessing such violent acts can cause emotional distress. The fear of experiencing similar violence can lead to symptoms of anxiety, hypervigilance, and avoidance. Women may start to avoid being alone in workplaces, especially after dark, or feel anxious about entering public spaces they once navigated comfortably.

The doctor who lost her life in this incident was a symbol of professional achievement and service, yet her life was brutally taken in a space where she should have been respected and protected. This raises an important question about the mental health toll that unsafe working environments have on women, particularly those in demanding professions like healthcare, where long hours and isolation are common. The fear of harassment or violence adds another layer of stress to an already challenging career.

Victim Blaming

This case has also reignited the conversation about institutional responsibility and the troubling concept of victim blaming. Following the incident, another medical college issued a safety advisory to its female doctors, advising them to avoid poorly lit areas and being alone, and even went so far as to say, “While on duty you should be well composed emotionally, remain alert about the surroundings and should graciously interact with the public, so that you don’t attract unnecessary attention of unscrupulous people.” These statements, though intended to promote caution, shift the burden of safety onto women themselves, implying that their behaviour might somehow invite violence.

Victim blaming not only exacerbates the trauma of violence but also takes a significant toll on mental health. When institutions place the responsibility on women to avoid danger, it undermines their sense of security and dignity. Rather than focusing on preventing violent behaviour, the emphasis is placed on how women should conduct themselves, making them feel as if they are somehow responsible for the violence inflicted upon them. This mindset can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation, which are common psychological effects of victim-blaming.

The Kolkata incident calls for more than just security reforms. It demands a shift in how we approach safety and mental health. Institutions must prioritise creating environments where women feel physically and emotionally safe without being made to carry the burden of responsibility for their own protection. Mental health support should be readily available, and the narrative must shift from “how women should behave” to “how we can prevent violence against women.”

Psychological Impact of Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence leaves deep and lasting psychological scars, affecting every aspect of a woman’s mental and emotional well-being. When you experience or even witness violence because of your gender, it impacts not only your sense of safety but also how you view yourself and the world around you. The psychological consequences can be profound, and without proper support, they often linger long after the physical wounds heal.

One of the most immediate effects of gender-based violence is trauma. Trauma responses can vary from person to person, but common reactions include anxiety, fear, depression, and a sense of helplessness. You may find yourself constantly on edge, experiencing flashbacks or nightmares, reliving the event repeatedly in your mind. For many women, this leads to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where the trauma of the event becomes a constant presence in everyday life, making it difficult to function normally.

Feelings of shame and guilt are also common among survivors of gender-based violence, especially in environments where victim-blaming is prevalent. You may question what you could have done differently or feel as though the violence was somehow your fault. This internalised blame not only deepens the emotional pain but can also lead to long-term issues like low self-esteem, self-isolation, and difficulty trusting others.

When you are repeatedly confronted with stories of violence, it can heighten feelings of fear, anxiety, and vulnerability, even if you are not directly involved. This phenomenon, known as “vicarious trauma,” occurs when you internalise the pain and fear from the traumatic experiences of others, often leading to symptoms similar to those experienced by the victims themselves. Hearing about these incidents frequently can make you more alert, fearful, or distrustful of your surroundings. It can also exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression and lead to avoidance behaviours like withdrawing from social activities or feeling unsafe in public spaces. 

Societal Factors and the Role of Law and Policy

In many societies, traditional gender roles and patriarchal values contribute to the normalisation of violence against women. These beliefs often blame women for the violence they experience, reinforcing the harmful notion that they must adjust their behaviour to avoid danger. Victim-blaming, as seen in the Kolkata incident where safety advisories placed the burden on women to “avoid poorly lit areas” and “graciously interact with the public,” is a reflection of these deeply ingrained attitudes. This cultural mindset not only undermines women’s confidence but also perpetuates a cycle of fear and mental distress.

Societal expectations often demand that women navigate public spaces with caution, limiting their freedom and forcing them to constantly evaluate their own safety. This pressure to conform to safety “rules” can erode mental health, leading to chronic anxiety and a diminished sense of agency.

Law and policy have a crucial role in addressing these issues. While laws against gender-based violence exist in many countries, their implementation is often inconsistent, leaving women vulnerable. In cases like the Kolkata incident, legal systems need to ensure swift and fair justice to restore confidence in public safety. 

Policy reforms must go beyond punishment to focus on prevention and support. This includes creating mental health support systems for survivors of violence, raising awareness about the harmful effects of victim-blaming, and fostering a culture of accountability for perpetrators. 

Conclusion

The Kolkata case provides crucial lessons on the intersection of women’s safety and mental health. It vividly illustrates how severe violence has profound effects on mental well-being, extending beyond the immediate victim to create widespread fear and anxiety among women. The case also highlights the detrimental impact of victim-blaming, as seen in safety advisories that placed the onus on women to avoid danger. This approach not only exacerbates trauma but also shifts the focus away from societal responsibility for preventing violence.

It underscores the importance of institutional responsibility; institutions must ensure not only physical safety but also robust mental health support to create environments where women feel secure and valued. This blog highlights the necessity for a cultural shift away from traditional gender roles and attitudes that normalise or excuse violence. Societal attitudes must evolve to prioritise women’s safety and mental health and challenge victim-blaming narratives.