Heather Mason recently spoke on “Mental Health Improvement” at the Women’s Bodies – Harm and Healing conference by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, an event spotlighting the deep connection between women’s health, surgical outcomes, social issues, and gynaecological care.
The programme tackled pressing issues, including the effects of pornography on female sexuality, the mental health toll of female genital mutilation, and the biopsychosocial barriers to women’s health, both locally and globally.
The conference highlighted problems in both developed and developing societies, as well as the clash and integration of the two. Heather’s talk was unique in that it focused on an intervention—yoga—for mental health in general. She was honoured to speak alongside brilliant women who are actively addressing mental health needs and championing initiatives to enhance women’s well-being.
What was particularly exciting was the conference’s recognition that, while Heather’s topic appeared at first to be tangential or non-specific to women’s health, there was both an implicit and later explicit appreciation of yoga’s value in treating trauma and supporting the complex mental health challenges faced by women.
The enthusiasm didn’t end there—psychiatrists approached her during networking sessions, eager to explore yoga’s potential in their practice, discover training opportunities, and deepen its integration into mental health care.
At Minded, we see this as a defining moment—one that reflects years of advocacy and growing acceptance. This engagement with organisations like the Royal College of Psychiatrists signals a hopeful future where yoga becomes a mainstream, transformative tool for mental health treatment.
To learn more, visit: Women’s Bodies – Harm and Healing
