Why menopause matters - even in the church 

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is mental health in the workplace, and I’d love to take a moment to widen the lens a little to include a conversation about menopause and its impact on mental health in the workplace. Menopause is a natural stage of life, but it often comes with significant emotional, cognitive, and physical challenges that affect women in profound ways. From brain fog, to loss of concentration, increased anxiety and bouts of depression, menopause can affect a woman’s sense of competence, confidence and ability to cope in the workplace, which can lead to reputational anxiety and a loss of self-efficacy, which in turns can have an adverse effect on women’s mental health.  And here’s where we need to talk about churches—not just as places of worship, but as employers of women.

After my review of Jayne Manfredi’s Waking the Women was printed for Christianity magazine, I received a message on Instagram from someone who commented: “It’s not the church’s responsibility to speak about menopause—it’s only to preach the gospel. I can’t imagine the apostle Paul writing to any of the churches and saying that!”  There are a few thoughts I’ve had since then about that comment and how it connects to a larger issue that touches on mental health and workplace wellbeing, particularly for women navigating menopause.

Responsibility vs. Opportunity

I agree, churches aren’t responsible for preaching about menopause from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. However, there’s a difference between responsibility and opportunity. As employers, churches, like any other organisation, have a responsibility to be informed about and compliant with workplace regulations, including those concerning menopause. Women make up a significant part of church staff, ministry teams, and (increasingly) leadership roles. They are affected by the same health challenges and workplace dynamics that women in secular organisations face. Ignoring menopause in the workplace is not an option when you’re committed to creating an environment where every member of the team can thrive.

But beyond responsibility, there’s an opportunity here. One of the greatest positive factors on women’s ability to cope was support from friends and loved ones. Churches, as communities of faith, can play a unique role in fostering a supportive and open environment for discussing menopause, helping to break the stigma and taboo that still surrounds it. They can offer safe spaces where women feel pastorally supported through what can be an incredibly challenging time—not just for their mental health, but for their marriages, careers, and overall well-being.

The Intersection of Menopause, Leadership, and Mental Health

Drawing from my own qualitative research, I found that the menopause transition, especially for women in the workplace, has a profound negative impact on mental health and wellbeing, particularly the cognitive symptoms and psychological symptoms, both of which significantly impacted the ability to lead confidently. Across the UK around 10% of women leave the workforce due to menopausal symptoms, a figure reflected even within my small group study.

What emerged clearly from my research is that there’s a significant gap between existing workplace policies and their actual implementation when it comes to supporting women through menopause. Women reported that organisational culture often lacks awareness, and leadership dynamics can make it hard to speak openly about their needs.

Why Should Churches Care?

So why should churches care? Because the experiences of these women mirror what’s happening in church offices, ministry teams, leadership boards and across congregations where women are struggling with their mental health due to menopause. If we want to be communities that reflect Christ’s love and care then we should call for radical inclusion, compassion, and care for the well-being of the whole person. Jesus met people where they were, in their physical and emotional needs, and we are called to do the same. My research showed that one of the most powerful positive influences on the ability to cope was support from friends, family and loved ones.

Churches can lead the way in normalising conversations around menopause and its impact on mental health in the workplace. By doing so, they reflect the gospel in action—meeting people in their real, lived experiences. This doesn’t necessarily mean menopause is preached from the pulpit, but it does mean creating a work culture and pastoral care environment where women feel seen, heard, and supported.

Actionable Steps for Churches as Employers

1. Education and Awareness: Churches should invest in training for HR teams, leadership, and pastoral care workers to understand menopause and its impact on mental health and work performance. This creates an informed and compassionate environment.

2. Policy Implementation: It’s essential that churches don’t just have policies on paper but also implement them practically. Flexibility in working hours, access to counselling, or mental health days can go a long way in supporting women during this transition.

3. Supportive Conversations: Pastoral care should include open, safe conversations about health transitions like menopause, addressing mental health concerns and the emotional toll it can take.

4. Leading by Example: By taking tangible steps to support women, churches can set an example for other organisations, contributing to a broader cultural shift where menopause is no longer a silent struggle but a respected part of a woman’s life journey.

An Invitation for Change

Ultimately, this is an invitation for churches to step into a conversation that is already happening in society but is often left out of faith communities. This is not a criticism of what churches are doing now, but instead an invitation to do even more—to expand their pastoral care and support for women experiencing menopause in the workplace (including the church workplace) and creating compassionate, inclusive, and healthier environments for all.