When Leaders Attack Mental Health and Healthcare, Women Pay the Price

Send us Fan MailToday’s episode is a call to awareness, a call to action—and above all, a call to compassion.At Her Time Therapy, we practice from a feminist counseling lens, which means we don’t view mental health in a vacuum. Systems, policies, and power structures deeply shape our emotional lives, and right now, those structures are failing women—especially those who are most marginalized.In this episode, we explore how political rhetoric and policy decisions—especially those under the Trump administration—have actively harmed women’s mental and physical health. From Medicaid cuts and mental health stigma to abortion bans and scientific censorship, we trace the throughline between harmful leadership and the rising emotional toll on women across the country.We talk candidly about:How cuts to Medicaid and the ACA disproportionately impact women (KFF, 2020)The gutting of mental health programs and mocking of depression and anxietyTrump’s anti-science policies, including the CDC’s banned language list (Washington Post, 2017)The dismantling of abortion access and its consequences for maternal health (The Lancet, 2021; ACOG, 2023)The erasure of gendered and LGBTQ+ language in federally funded researchWhy seeking support is not just personal—it’s politicalIf you’ve ever felt ashamed for needing help, or enraged by the growing barriers to care, you are not alone. We see you. And we believe that caring for your mental health is an act of resistance.Take Action:Share this episode with someone affected by healthcare rollbacksVisit Her Time Therapy to find a feminist-oriented therapistRegister to vote and stay informed about your state’s policiesUse the Five Calls App to contact your representativesSupport this podcast for $3/month on Buzzsprout or join us on Patreon for bonus content and communityReferenced Sources:ACOG: Abortion PolicyBrené Brown (2018). Braving the Wilderness. Random House.Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiesKaiser Family Foundation – Medicaid & Mental HealthNIH Women’s Health Research – Janine ClaytonThe Lancet (2021) – Maternal Mortality ReviewCDC Language Guidance Coverage – Washington Post & NYTSupport the showStay Connected + Support the ShowFollow us @HerTimeToTalk and @HerTimeTherapyVisit our website to connect with a therapist, subscribe to our newsletter, or learn more about feminist mental health counseling If this episode moved you, empowered you, or taught you something new—be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear it.This is your time. Your story matters. Your voice is powerful. And your mental health is worth prioritizing.