A Silent Crisis Unfolds: Why Are Young Women Being Pushed Out of the Workforce by Mental Health Struggles?
Published: Saturday, 15 November 2025 - 08:15
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Here’s a startling fact: an increasing number of women under 40 are finding themselves unable to work due to mental health challenges. New data from the UWV on occupational disability benefits (WIA) reveals a trend that’s both alarming and deeply concerning. While mental health has been a growing reason for disability claims for years, the spotlight is now on young women, whose numbers are rising at a worrying pace, as reported by Nieuwsuur (https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/artikel/2590330-steeds-meer-jonge-vrouwen-arbeidsongeschikt-wegens-psychische-klachten).
But here’s where it gets controversial: These women are predominantly employed in sectors like education, healthcare, and social welfare—fields already grappling with severe staff shortages. This means the remaining workers are shouldering an even heavier burden in jobs that are emotionally and physically demanding. Societal shifts, such as relentless performance pressure and the blurring lines between work and personal life due to remote work, are exacerbating the issue, according to the UWV.
For context, in 2024 alone, out of 69,000 new WIA benefit claims, a staggering one-third were attributed to mental health issues, with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder leading the list. This marks a significant shift from physical ailments to psychological struggles as the primary cause of occupational disability.
And this is the part most people miss: Occupational sociologist Janna Besamusca from Utrecht University points out that women are overrepresented in sectors like healthcare and education, which are also facing brutal budget cuts and staffing crises. “The result? An automatic increase in workload,” she explains to Nieuwsuur. It’s a double whammy: women are not only bearing the brunt of these systemic issues but are also more likely to be pushed out of the workforce as a result.
Occupational physician Marieke van Hoffen adds another layer to this complex issue: the emotional toll of these professions. “When your job requires you to constantly manage the emotions of others, it’s inevitable that it takes a personal toll,” she notes. This emotional labor, often unseen and undervalued, is a significant contributor to the mental health struggles these women face.
Here’s the question that needs answering: Is this a failure of the system, or a reflection of deeper societal expectations placed on women? Are we doing enough to support these essential workers, or are we silently accepting their burnout as the cost of keeping these sectors afloat? Let’s open the floor for discussion—what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
