A recent study published in Nature Communications has found that women have 16 genetic variants associated with depression , while men have half that number. These variants are linked to hormonal mechanisms, stress regulation, and neural processes of emotional vulnerability.

The finding does not imply that all women will develop depression, but it shows that the genetic predisposition is greater. Environmental, social, and lifestyle factors strongly interact with these vulnerabilities: grief, emotional overload, inequality, isolation, or lack of support can trigger latent mechanisms.

This discovery demands that mental health treatments and prevention programs be designed with a gender perspective. It is not enough to apply the same approach to men and women: interventions must be adapted to different risks, resources, and contexts.

The implications go beyond clinical psychology: public policies, medical training and awareness campaigns must recognize that depression and mood disorders manifest themselves differently and more frequently in women.

For our readers, this study serves as a reminder of the importance of caring for emotional health as an integral part of well-being. Recognizing warning signs, seeking professional support, and building support networks are not signs of weakness, but rather of courage and self-care.