Suffering in Silence: Stories of Indian Women with Chronic Mental Illness and Sexual Coercion

Background Patriarchy exposes women to various forms of discrimination and oppression. Women are more often blamed for mental illness, which can result in social isolation and stigma. Method Case Study. Results Psycho-social intervention aided in empowering women by giving them voices to speak as well as by utilizing their strengths and available community resources to develop a sense of self-efficacy, coping strategies, and support system. Conclusion Women with chronic mental illness have unique needs and challenges. Mentally ill women face sexual coercion in childhood or adulthood. The factors related to help-seeking in the context of abuse were family reactions, social support, and stigma. Our findings highlight the need to conduct risk assessments and provide community-based and coordinated services during follow-up visits. Key messages Trauma-focused intervention should be culturally appropriate and should focus on reducing emotional distress, restoring self-adaptation, and enhancing social support.