Mental illnesses affect women and men differently. Some mental health disorders are unique to women, more common in women or express themselves differently in women and men. Unipolar depression is twice as common in women. Anxiety disorders and eating disorders are also more prevalent in this population. The World Health Organization has said that 9gender differences occur particularly in the rates of common mental disorders ... [that] affect approximately 1 in 3 people in the community and constitute a serious public health problem.9

The 2008 Community Mental Health Conference will listen to women9s voices discussing the mental health issues of women and girls. The speakers and discussion groups will address these questions across the life cycle and will present the facts that girls, the parents of girls and men who care about women need to know.

This year9s speakers are nationally recognized experts on women9s health issues. The discussion groups will be led by professionals who have studied and treated the different aspects of women9s mental health concerns. The 2008 Conference once more promises to be a most enjoyable and informative event.