Women across the globe are facing record levels of stress as they navigate the emotional and physical challenges of social and health justice issues—including economic uncertainty, global unrest and COVID caregiving. Despite the heavy toll these are taking on women’s mental health, relevant health care and resources are lacking. For women of color and underserved communities, even more so. At this pivotal moment, it is critical for diverse stakeholders across private and public sectors to work together to reach, engage and support women, while also acknowledging that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach isn’t the answer.

Ketchum recently had a discussion with mental health experts and advocates on what is causing a gap in women’s mental health inequities; opportunities and resources to bridge it; and the critical role communications plays.

To hear the perspectives, view the video below.

Dr Jacqui Dyer

Jacqui is an independent health and social care consultant, with lived experience and a background in adult mental health commissioning as well as community and family social work.

She is currently the Mental Health Equalities Advisor for NHS England (NHSE) and Health Education England (HEE) and served as vice chair of England’s Mental Health Taskforce, which collaboratively developed NHSE’s 5 Year Forward View for Mental Health.

Jacqui is an elected local councillor in south London and co-founder and chair of Lambeth’s Black Thrive Partnership, which works to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Black Caribbean and African citizens.

Jacqui is involved in a range of international networks to elevate the voices of lived experience, community participation and leadership as central to city-wide mental health and wellbeing strategies. She is President of the Mental Health Foundation charity in the UK and a member of the current Sciana Fellowship Cohort.

Susan Gurley

Susan Gurley is a lawyer and advocate with 25 years of experience working in the mental health and access to justice fields, international development and legal reform, and higher education administration.

Prior to joining ADAA, Ms. Gurley held senior-level positions in several U.S. government agencies, such as the United States Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Ms. Gurley served as both the Assistant Dean for International and Graduate Programs, at the Georgetown University School of Law, and worked at Equal Justice Works and the Association of Corporate Business Travel Executives.

Ms. Gurley is a Phi Beta Kappa and received her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Ms. Gurley has worked in 30+ countries and speaks French, German, and Hungarian.

Hazel Moran

With deep roots in patient advocacy, Hazel is responsible for driving the integration of patient voices, insights and perspectives to create meaningful action at EMD Serono.

As a leader and fierce advocate for both patients and their caregivers, Hazel works to position EMD Serono as a patient-directed company. Her efforts focus on raising awareness around caregiving challenges while also supporting patients by advocating for health solutions to address their unmet needs. Prior to this, she held positions as head of strategy and engagement and senior director, international patient advocacy and strategic partnerships for EMD Serono, leading partnerships and strategic alliances with international patient advocacy and professional organizations.

Before joining EMD Serono, Hazel worked for Eisai and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, with responsibilities in patient advocacy, strategic alliances, corporate advocacy and public policy. Previously, she worked for 13 years at a leading mental health patient association in the U.S., driving such notable initiatives as the National Working Group on Evidence-Based Health Care.