Women in Leadership Roles in the Mental Health Field, Research Paper Example

Mental health is the cognitive and emotional wellbeing of a person. It is how one thinks, behave or the way one feels. If one is not mentally healthy, then he/she has some mental disorder. In the UK, for example, almost 25% of the population has mental disorders. The USA records the highest count of people with mental health disorders in developed world. One’s mental health affects the physical health and the daily life relationship (Shah  & Beinecke, 2009). Now, what are the leadership roles of women in the mental health field? Like any other field, the mental health field needs leaders. The women are no less in forming leaders just like the men. In some cases, women said to perform better than men in leadership positions did. They are as competitive as much as the men (Sherer, 2002). The question is, why are there is a less percentage in the number of women carrying out leadership roles the mental health field? The research paper seeks to find out the reason behind the small number of women in the mental health field. By the end of the study, the research will help us know the suitable approaches to solve the issue of the low number of women in leadership positions.

Research Methodology

The research methodologies employed in this research topic include the qualitative and quantitative methods. Descriptive research is qualitative research that relies on the collection of qualitative data. Literature review gives quantitative information that depends on the collection of quantitative data.

a) Quantitative methodology

The questions posed answered using previous available literature. The senior executive positions majorly delegated for men. It has been a tradition that women can only serve at lower positions. People have gender-based stereotypes when it comes to executive positions instead of considering facts like education, experience, and knowledge of the position in question (Shah & Beinecke, 2009). For those few women who have had opportunities to serve as leaders in the mental health field, they have served the roles of managers but with considerable difficulties. They have faced challenges of undermining and disrespected.

b) Quantitative methods

The descriptive information for the research topic obtained upon carrying out a research. This research will involve a research. The study site identified and the respondents identified. Then a suitable data collection instrument like a questionnaire employed. The questionnaire designed to have open-ended questions and the closed questioners. The open-ended questions will give the respondent a confidential chance to express personal feelings and any proposed recommendations (McDaid et al, 2008). Data then collected from the directly affected men and women who work in the mental health field. This data then analyzed thoroughly using social statistical software like SPSS. Charts, tables, graphs, and histograms constructed from the data presented clearly. These incorporated in a detailed report present the required information. The open-ended questions, in which respondents give their views also summarized in the report.

Conclusion

Women under graded, not only in the mental health field, but also in most work places. Previous research shows that men still have the tradition that women should remain as homemakers and not leaders, and many women with low self-esteem. Women denied leadership positions for mere reasons just to put them off. It is high time for men to know that women are equivalently competitive just as they are, ‘whatever a man can do, a woman can do even better’ (Sherer, 2002).

References

McDaid, D., Raja, S., Knapp, M. (2008). ‘Barriers in the Mind: Promoting an Economic Case for Mental Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.’ World Psychiatry, Vol 7, pp79-86.

Sherer, R. (2002). ‘Mental Health Care in Developing World.’ Psychiatric Times Vol 19(1), pp1-5.

Shah, A.A. and Beinecke, R.H. (2009). ‘Global Mental Health Needs, Services, Barriers, and Challenges.’ International Journal of Mental Health Vol 38(1), pp14-29.