Menopause Mental Health Gap with Dr. Bev Young

Menopause Mental Health Gap | Dr. Bev Young Menopause is finally getting the attention it deserves. But while conversations about hot flashes, hormone therapy, and physical symptoms are everywhere, one critical piece of women's health is still being overlooked: mental health. Why are so many women in midlife experiencing anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attacks, disrupted sleep, and emotional changes without understanding what is happening? And how do we know whether these symptoms are related to hormonal fluctuations, an underlying mental health condition, or the pressures of midlife itself? In this episode of Stronger By Design™, host Michelle MacDonald sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Bev Young, co-founder of Bria, to explore the often-missed connection between perimenopause, menopause, and women's mental health. With 25 years of experience in women's mental health, Dr. Young explains why menopause mental health care is still decades behind the progress made in recognizing postpartum depression, and why treating physical symptoms alone may leave women struggling unnecessarily. Together, Michelle and Dr. Young explore: Menopause and mental health: Why anxiety, depression, irritability, and even "menopause rage" may appear before traditional physical symptoms. Hormonal sensitivity: How a history of PMS, PMDD, or postpartum depression may help identify women who are more vulnerable to mood changes during perimenopause. Hormone therapy isn't a cure-all: Why menopausal hormone therapy can be helpful but may not address every mental health concern. The midlife pressure cooker: How relationships, aging parents, children, work, and shifting identities can compound emotional challenges. Finding the right treatment: The roles of mental health assessments, antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and individualized care. Closing the care gap: How Bria and Bria Academy are educating healthcare professionals to better recognize and treat menopause-related mental health concerns. Dr. Young also challenges the idea that suffering through menopause is simply something women should accept. Her message is clear: women deserve to be heard, properly assessed, and supported with evidence-based care. And importantly, this conversation isn't just about what's going wrong. It's also about what's possible. With the right support, midlife can become a time of greater freedom, renewed confidence, and the opportunity to redefine what comes next. Whether you're navigating perimenopause, supporting someone who is, or working with women in midlife, this episode offers a different perspective on menopause and the importance of caring for the whole person. Favorite Moments 0:15 Why Menopause Mental Health Is Still So Stigmatized 3:19 The Menopause Symptoms Women Aren't Talking About 4:25 Menopause Rage, Anxiety & Depression: What's Normal and What's Not? 8:18 Can PMS and Postpartum Depression Predict Menopause Mental Health Struggles? 14:06 Why Hormonal Fluctuations Can Trigger Anxiety and Depression 15:32 Hormone Therapy Isn't a Cure-All for Mental Health 18:38 Waking Up With Dread: When Sleep Problems Signal Something Deeper 19:53 Beyond Medication: What Actually Helps Women's Mental Health? 22:04 Wine Is Not the New Yoga: Alcohol's Impact on Menopause 24:51 Why Dr. Young Had to Create Her Own Menopause Mental Health Training Program 28:56 The 25-Year Gap Between Postpartum and Menopause Mental Health Care 30:03 Stop Grinning and Bearing It: Why Women Need to Ask for Help 31:44 Menopause Can Be a Time of Freedom, Renewal & Reinvention 32:38 The Midlife Mindset Shift: Finally Putting Yourself First 34:04 How to Find a Menopause Mental Health-Certified Provider GUEST: DR. BEV YOUNG Dr. Bev Young is a psychiatrist with 25 years of experience in women's mental health and co-founder of Bria, a healthcare organization focused on providing comprehensive mental health and hormone health support across women's reproductive life stages. Through Bria, Dr. Young and her colleagues bring together psychiatry, therapy, hormone health assessments, and other specialized services to address the unique challenges women experience during pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. She is also a founder of the Bria Academy, which developed the Menopause Mental Health Provider Certification program to help healthcare professionals better recognize and support women's mental health needs during midlife. Resources: Bria: https://bria.health Bria Academy: https://briaacademy.com Instagram: @bria.health   HOST: MICHELLE MACDONALD Michelle MacDonald is the creator of the FITNESS MODEL BLUEPRINT™ and host of the Stronger By Design™ podcast. Known internationally for her evidence-based approach to women's fitness, Michelle has coached thousands of women since 2012 through strength training, nutrition, and mindset. She is a Physique Champion, ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist, co-founder of Tulum Strength Club, and founder of The Wonder Women™ (TWW). Michelle is also recognized for helping inspire the remarkable transformation of her mother, Joan MacDonald (Train With Joan™), and continues to empower women to redefine aging through science-backed fitness education and coaching. Connect with Michelle: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellemacdonaldofficial/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.macdonald.yhhedonista ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michellemacdonaldofficial 🔗 Website: https://www.michellemacdonaldofficial.com/