DA and Mental Health

Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS), the charity that provides refuge services and community-based support for those experiencing domestic abuse, is urging people to shine a spotlight on mental health to help end the cycle of abuse.

As Mental Health Awareness Week comes to a close, figures show that domestic abuse has an estimated overall cost to mental healthcare of at least £176 million.  With women who experience domestic abuse more likely to experience mental health problems, and nationally between 30% and 60% of women* with mental health issues also having experienced domestic abuse, tackling this problem in society has a wider benefit in helping to reduce pressure points on mental health services.

Jo Eamey, CEO of SDASS, explained: “Mental health issues can be both a vulnerability that is targeted by a perpetrator of domestic abuse, as well as a result of being the victim, whether you’re male or female.

“45% of the people we supported last year have told us that they have mental health issues, with 18% declaring a mental health disability that has a significant impact on their lives.

“Whilst all domestic abuse is damaging, emotional and psychological abuse can have a long-term effect on people’s mental health.  When they first come to us, 90% of our clients tell us they’ve been experiencing emotional abuse; that’s actions like putting someone down, dashing their confidence and making them adapt their behaviour to avoid causing an upset.”

Breaking the cycle of domestic abuse and in particular where children are involved, providing them with a safe place and the tools to process what they have experienced can have a lasting positive impact for years to come.

Exposure to domestic abuse has a significant impact on children’s mental health, with studies showing strong links between poorer educational outcomes and higher levels of mental health problems.  SDASS works through its refuge, the community and schools across Swindon in order to provide support to young people to understand and process what they have experienced, and to show them how to recognise and build healthy relationships themselves.

Jo continued: “The only way that we’re ever likely to see an end to domestic abuse is to stop it at the root cause.  Our Children and Young People’s programme work with the next generation for them to understand what a healthy relationship, in all terms including friendship and romantic relationships, looks like.  We see cycles of abuse repeating down through generations and so ending this cycle through education and awareness will no doubt have a knock-on effect to overall mental health too.”

If you need advice for yourself or a friend relating to Domestic Abuse, call the confidential 24/7 Helpline, which is always answered by an Advisor, on 01793 610610.

Ends

*National statistics from The Mental Health Foundation – available at Domestic violence: statistics | Mental Health Foundation. Where figures referencing women are used, this is due to the lack of the equivalent research relating to male numbers.

Editor’s notes – for additional information please contact Eleanor Butler, Vox PR, on 07775 943 085 or eleanor@voxonline.co.uk

ABOUT SDASS:  Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service is free and confidential, serving Swindon and the surrounding area. Our service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, supporting ALL victims of domestic violence.

Originally founded in 1974 as Swindon Women’s Aid, SDASS operates a purpose-built secure refuge with 22 individual flats which can accommodate lone females or mothers with dependent children and has a dedicated team of trained staff. In the community SDASS has a network of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) who work with victims not staying in the Refuge, and have Advisors within the Great Western Hospital, Doctor Surgeries and Health Centres across the town.

A specialist Children and Young People’s team supports the specific needs of children both within the Refuge and also in the Community.  Our Training Programmes not only help victims understand their situation to help them move forward but also provide general education to young people about healthy relationships.

Increased emphasis is being placed on prevention and a new team has been established to advise those who have concerns about their behaviour and its impact on their relationships.

Our fundraising shop in the Parade in Swindon is open 6 days a week, staffed entirely by volunteers – quality donations always welcome.

Our dedicated helpline – 01793 610610 – is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The phone is always answered by an advisor.