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Silent Struggles: Tracing the Mental Health Realities of Unorganised Women After COVID-19 in South India

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected unorganized women workers in South India, exacerbating existing socio-economic vulnerabilities and leading to significant mental health challenges. Objective: To explore the lived experiences of mental health issues among unorganized women workers in South India post-COVID-19 using a phenomenological approach. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted involving semi-structured interviews with 20 unorganized women workers aged 25–50 from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. Colaizzi’s method was employed for data analysis. Results: Five major themes emerged: economic insecurity and anxiety; social isolation and loneliness; increased care burden and burnout; fear of illness and death; and stigma and silence around mental health. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for community-based mental health interventions and policy inclusion to address the unique challenges faced by unorganized women workers in the post-pandemic era.

Source: International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

DOI: 10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i03.47183

Authors: Manoj P, Sampath S

Institutions: Bharathiar University, Indian Council of Social Science Research

Language: English

Topic: COVID-19 and Mental Health

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities, Gender equality

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W4411214359