Menopause and mental health: resources for the holidays

Safeguarding your mental health during the perimenopause and menopause

The festive season is traditionally a time for celebrations and family get-togethers.

Yet it’s actually very common to feel overwhelmed at this time of year. A YouGov survey found two in five Britons have felt stressed during the festive season, while one in four have struggled with anxiety or depression [1].

In addition, the perimenopause and menopause can impact mental health, be it low mood associated with fluctuating hormones, or the knock-on impact of other symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog and physical aches and pains.

So here at balance we have put together some useful mental-health related resources and contacts.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing in the perimenopause and menopause

If you are experiencing perimenopause or menopause and have started to think, feel or do things that are different to before, this booklet is for you. Psychological and emotional changes are extremely common when your hormones start to change and decline, and this booklet will show you what to look out for, help you understand why these changes happen, and give you the options and information to decide how to get help.

What is reproductive depression?

Reproductive depression is a hormonally based depression that can come and go over the course of your reproductive life, including the perimenopause. Find out more in this factsheet.

Mindfulness and menopause: podcast with yoga teacher Claudia Brown

In this episode, balance founder Dr Louise Newson is joined by yoga teacher Claudia Brown. Together they discuss mindfulness, what it is and what it isn’t.

Loneliness and the menopause

In today’s busy world, most of us are surrounded by people – be it at work, home, through social clubs or friendships, or caregiving or volunteering. And yet according to the Office for National Statistics, women (24%) are more likely than men (20%) to feel lonely at least some of the time [2]. Research suggests that loneliness can increase stress and is also associated with an increased risk of certain mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and sleep problems [3,4]. This article looks at what loneliness is, and strategies that can help.

The balance app

The balance app features a number of articles looking at mental health symptoms related to the perimenopause and menopause, plus information on coping strategies and treatments.

Useful contacts

Mental health charity Mind has compiled this page on mental health and Christmas, including helpline numbers for a number of organisations.

The Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

References

1. YouGov (2019), ‘How does Christmas impact people’s mental health?’
2. NHS Digital Health (2023), ‘Survey for England, 2021 part 2: loneliness and wellbeing’
3. Mind ‘Loneliness’
4. Forbes Health (2024), ‘What Is Loneliness? Causes, Effects And Prevention’