BMC Psychiatry (May 2025)

My Story and Me: a narrative study of young women and girls’ stories of their mental health and associated support

  • Emily Stapley,
  • Angelika Labno,
  • Giulia Ravaccia,
  • Maddison Crease,
  • Jessica Deighton,
  • Helen Brooks,
  • Huong Le,
  • Charli Atkinson-Ryan,
  • Julian Edbrooke-Childs

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06923-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 1
pp. 1 – 15

Abstract

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Abstract Background Recent data in England show rising levels of mental health difficulties among young women, as compared to young men. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of young women and girls (across different ethnic groups, who are neurodivergent, and/or who identify with the LGBTQIA + community) in the UK about their mental health and associated support. Method Narrative interviews were conducted with 29 young women and girls aged 14 to 24 years. Using ideal-type analysis, a method for identifying broad patterns or ‘types’ within qualitative datasets, two typologies were developed to explore similarities and differences between participants’ stories and delineate overarching narratives across stories. Results The first typology was titled: ‘What is my mental health story?’ Three overarching types or narratives within the dataset were identified in terms of participants’ mental health stories: ‘Traumatic and impactful experiences’; ‘Body-mind-society interaction’; and ‘Prolonged distress and disruption’. The second typology was titled: ‘How would I like to be supported in relation to my mental health?’ Three overarching types or narratives were also identified in relation to participants’ stories about how they would like to be supported with their mental health: ‘Empathy, understanding, and connection’; ‘Support from/for intersecting (overlapping) identities’; and ‘Heard, seen, and accepted’. Conclusions Hearing from young women and girls, in their own words, about their mental health stories is crucial to optimise prevention and treatment efforts. Our findings show that a positive therapeutic relationship, supportive social relationships, feeling heard and accepted, and consideration of the multiple overlapping facets of one’s identity are key mechanisms influencing the utility of support. Ultimately, mental health support should be individualised, consistent, and available.

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