01/31/2026
Some of you may be asking why a mental health office decided to open a period pantry. 🤔💭 Solid question.
According to WIIS, about 1.9 billion people menstruate (that's a quarter of the world's population). This is a huge burden for a few reasons.
First, it can be a financial strain due to inadequate access to menstrual products. This is known as period poverty. One of the leading menstrual product companies in the US did a survey which showed that 1 in 5 adolescents miss school due to not having access to period poducts. 😲
Second, not everyone who menstruates identifies as a woman, despite intense gendering of menstruation. This contributes to significant social stigma, body dysmorphia, and even safety for an individual simply trying to purchase needed products. 🚫
I can't fix this on a global or even national level. But my goal is to make a difference locally, doing my part to help eliminate period poverty in our area. Because financial worries, safety concerns, and the ability to stay engaged in school are absolutely intertwined with mental health. ♥️✨
