Menopause and mental health: Implications for clinical practice, services and policy (RCPYSCH, March 2026)

Summary

This Royal College of Psychiatrists position statement examines how menopause affects mental health and its implications for clinical practice, services, and policy across the UK.

Content

Drawing on lived experience, clinical evidence and an intersectional approach, it highlights that menopause can significantly impact mental health and wellbeing, and is associated with anxiety, depression, cognitive changes and, sometimes, triggering or worsening serious mental illness.

These effects are not experienced equally: people with severe mental illness, neurodivergence, minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ identities, disabilities, or trauma histories often face greater barriers to care and poorer outcomes. Workplace impacts are also considerable, and gaps in clinical understanding, diagnostic overshadowing, limited access to HRT, and insufficient training across the mental health workforce further hinder effective support.

This statement calls for:

• Greater awareness of menopause’s links to mental health
• Better training for psychiatrists and the wider workforce
• Fair access to diagnosis, treatment (including HRT) and mental health support
• The relationship between menopause and mental health to be fully integrated into the development and implementation of national women's health strategies
• Stronger, more supportive workplace policies
• Increased research across the board, and especially for under-represented groups

Without proper support, many women struggle unnecessarily during the time of menopause transition. This statement outlines how healthcare, policy and workplaces can better respond to ensure compassionate, equitable and evidence-based care.