Family Violence & Mental Health: The Stigma
Let’s talk mental health
For many of us, the association between physical injury and family violence is an easy understanding. We think of the word ‘abuse’ and periodically associate it with bruises, physical symptoms, black eyes, and other bodily harm. However, any type of abuse, whether physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, financial, culture, or spiritual, can (and usually do) have long-term effects on psychological health as well. Symptoms of poor mental health are often much harder to detect and may go unnoticed by others because they are not as visible as physical symptoms and may be excused by other factors/situations in someone’s life. Many victims/survivors of family violence may grapple with poor mental health and trauma resulting from psychological aggression, neglect, financial abuse, emotional abuse, and other forms of family violence. Further, victims/survivors who experience trauma may experience life-long lasting effects on their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Experiencing trauma and abuse put individuals at elevated risks of developing mental health conditions like:
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Borderline Personality Disorder
Suicidal Thoughts/Behaviours/Tendencies
Addiction
Self-Injury, and more.
The impacts of trauma resulting from family violence are severe and can stay with a victim/survivor for their entire lives.
mental health, Substance Abuse, and Family violence
There are large intersections between substance abuse, mental health, and family violence. Many studies affirm that an individual’s health is profoundly impacted by violence, mental health, and substance use, and the co-occurrences of these three conditions can adversely impact the outcome of each. Research demonstrates that for many, experiences of family violence precede an individual’s mental health issues and/or substance use.
Further, often instances of abuse are associated with those who experience mental illness. For many individuals, there is a notion of vulnerability to violence that pre-existing mental health conditions may exacerbate. Or on the flip side, many believe that those with pre-existing mental health conditions are more prone to showing abusive behaviours towards others. The point is that there is a common misconception that mental health conditions directly correlate to family violence in some way or another. The result is that those who live with mental health issues may experience stereotypes, discriminations, or other stigmas that associate them with violence. Indeed, a 2008 study by the Canadian Medical Association found that one in four Canadians admitted that they would be fearful being around someone with a serious mental health issue. And those with mental health issues deal with the belief that they are ‘drawn to’ or attracted to abusive individuals, making them exceptionally more vulnerable to abuse as though they were/are “asking for it”. Further, associations are drawn between substance abuse and violent behaviours, resulting in a belief that those with mental health conditions and/or substance abuse problems are significantly more prone to be perpetrators of family violence. And yet a study by Parkes, et al. titled" “Freedom From Violence: Tools for Working with Trauma, Mental Health, and Substance Use”, found that approximately two-thirds of women accessing services for family violence report that they began their substance use following experiences of violence.
What to consider
The fear that people with mental health conditions may be violent or associated with violence is at the core of the stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion experienced by individuals with mental health conditions. According to a paper by the Canadian Mental Health Association, research on public perceptions and attitudes about mental health have identified stereotypes that people with a mental health condition pose a threat to public safety.
This is why the use of appropriate language, discussing the impact of media and public attitudes, and looking at the research is so important in addressing the associations between mental health and family violence.
Language
Language plays a role in how we think, talk, and respond to such a complex issue. There are many misconceptions about violence and mental health due to various terms or labels we use. Oversimplifying discussions about mental health conditions can incorrectly infer that all individuals who are living with them are impacted in the same way by their conditions or that all individuals with mental health conditions share the same behaviours, regardless of when they were diagnosed or their previous experiences.
Media
Individuals with mental health conditions are often depicted in media as a dangerous, violent, or unpredictable person. News stories sensationalizing violence by a person with a mental health condition are often featured as headline news. Further, often mental health conditions can be taken out of context and simplified to one time, place, or scenario, despite previous diagnoses, situations, or general understandings of mental health conditions. Often mental health conditions are used as the scapegoats for violent behaviours.
Public Attitudes
The association of violence with mental health conditions has been used to justify bullying, victimization, or scapegoating. Experiences of discrimination and violence can result in psychological distress and feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Such experiences may impede recovery or create barriers to accessing social services like housing, employment, or education. This is all because individuals are more likely to support or condone forced legal action and coerced treatment for individuals living with mental health conditions if violence is perceived to be an issue.
Research
There are often information gaps between correlations of mental health and family violence. A definitive relationship is rarely established. Research regarding violence and mental health includes federal, provincial, and municipal crime statistics, medical research, and investigative reports. There are few studies that incorporate all perspectives, including those living with mental health conditions. Further, there is a lack of Canadian-specific research on violence and mental health.
Although many studies strongly suggest correlations between family violence, mental health conditions, and substance abuse, the only definitive answer is that the association between these three things is complex and multidirectional.
We remember that the conversation isn’t easy, it can be traumatic, and that experiences are complex and varied. There is no clear answer between instances of abuse and family violence. Yet we know that those who experienced family violence may suffer from mental health conditions and trauma as a result of their experiences. We support and uplift those struggling with their conditions. For them to share their story, seek help, or reach out to someone is a very brave act. May we always remember that the impacts of family violence run deep and are never one size fits all.
Remember that trauma and abuse are never your fault. There are resources available for you to get help and begin the journey towards healing. If you would like to talk to someone at The Today Centre, you can reach us using the chat on our website, reaching out via email, or calling us at (780) 455-6880.
resources
Please call 911 if in immediate danger
Call to 211 for information and referrals to connect to social, health, and government services.
Alberta Health Services Mental Health Helpline- 1 (877) 303-2642
24/7 and 365 days a year
The line is staffed by a multidisciplinary team comprised of nurses, psychiatric nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and psychologists.
The service provides:crisis support
mental health or addiction screening and assessment over the phone
general information about a mental health or addiction topic
information about local service options for addiction or mental health and how to access them
strategies people can use at home to support their emotional well-being
Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton Distress Line- (780) 482-4357
Access 24/7- (780) 424-2424
Provides a single point of access to adult addiction and mental health community based programs
Provides a range of urgent and non-urgent addiction and mental health services including service navigation, screening, assessment, referral, consultation, crisis intervention, outreach and short term stabilization
Children and Mental Health Crisis/Mobile Response Team- (780) 407-1000
The Crisis Team offers immediate crisis support through the Crisis Line to children / youth, aged 5-17, and their care providers
The Crisis Team also provides support to professionals in the community. Therapists will determine, together with caregivers, if additional services (e.g., a crisis risk assessment) are required at the time of the crisis call
Children’s Mental Health Crisis Line- (780) 427-4491