This article contains references to suicide, self-harm, and domestic abuse.
Women who have experienced domestic abuse are three times more likely than their counterparts to attempt suicide, new research has revealed.
The survey of adult mental health (briefed by the charity Agenda Alliance and conducted by Sally McManus) also found that women who've experienced sexual abuse in a relationship are seven times more likely to have tried to end their lives and that victims of domestic abuse are more than three times as likely to self-harm.
While the research didn't establish a “causal relationship between intimate partner violence [IPV] and suicidality,” it demonstrates that ”experiencing IPV can act as a precursor to suicidality."
The report concludes: “It is concerning that some who die by suicide may be ‘hidden victims’ of domestic abuse, left uncounted and unrecognised.”
“Not to spoil the ending but everything is going to be OK”.
What's more, while women who have experienced domestic abuse are more likely to experience mental health problems, women with existing mental health conditions are also more likely to be domestically abused.
This research comes from Mental Health Foundation, with a finding that 30-60% of women with mental health problems have experienced domestic violence. According to domestic abuse charity Safe Lives: “Domestic abuse is the most common cause of depression and other mental health difficulties in women.”
GLAMOUR spoke to three experts to find out how domestic abuse impacts mental health – and what we can do about it.
Domestic abusers may also be electronically tagged to stop them from going near the victim's home.
Meet the experts
Dr Sarah Bishop is a clinical psychologist who has worked with domestic violence victims.
Vanessa Garrity is Head of Mental Health at Practice Plus Group and provides mental health services to women in prison.
Dr Ravi Gill is a Chartered Health Psychologist specialising in complex issues, research-driven care and trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy.
How can domestic abuse impact survivors' mental health?
“When we experience the kind of stress and trauma that is seen in abusive relationships, it is a normal reaction for the brain to be flooded with stress hormones and depleted of feel-good hormones,” explains Dr Bishop.
“Not only does this impact our self-esteem and mood, but it has an inevitable impact on how our brains actually work; memory, decision-making, learning and impulse control can all be impacted by these chemical changes.”
Dr Bishop further explains that combining these chemical changes with the “emotional highs and lows” often present in abusive relationships can lead to patterns of behaviour which see “victims returning to abusive partners desperate to “fix things” for relief from the distress.”
Ultimately, this is a trauma response, Dr Bishop explains. And the “feelings of distress and anxiety” are there to keep you safe: "Feeling these big emotions is not a sign that you are “mad” (as perpetrators so often try to convince victims they are). Instead, they are healthy signs from your body and mind that you are at risk.”
If they are super resistant—but could probably benefit from professional help—try these talking points.
How can I protect my mental health if I'm in an abusive relationship?
Dr Gill highlights how women in abusive relationships are often isolated from people close to them as part of the abuse. “Survivors may withdraw from friends and family to avoid judgment or because they feel ashamed,” she says. “Additionally, abusers often isolate their partners to control them, leading to loneliness and reduced access to social support. This isolation can increase feelings of depression and helplessness.”
In order to protect yourself in this situation, Dr Gill suggests reaching out for help. “Speak to friends, family members, or colleagues who can offer emotional support and a safe space to share feelings,” she says. "Even if direct help may not be possible, having people who understand can reduce feelings of isolation.
Garrity agrees. “Having the positive influence of friends and family or a professional who can help you to re-frame your thinking about yourself is really important," she says. "Many women also benefit from self-affirmations to restructure negative thinking and low self-esteem linked to previous abuse.”
If talking to people isn't an option for you right now, writing things down can also be helpful. "A
journal, if it’s safe to keep one, can be a private way to process complex emotions
and thoughts," says Dr Gill. “This can help clarify feelings, validate personal experiences, and provide an outlet for frustration, anger, or fear.”
Dr Gill also draws attention to the way abusers often manipulate victims into believing they are at fault for the abuse. Over time, this can erode self-esteem, leading to internalised guilt and shame. “Women who experience domestic abuse may begin to feel that they deserve the abuse or believe that no one else will love or value them,” she says. “It’s crucial to remember that abuse is never your fault. Remind yourself that you deserve to be treated with respect, support, and kindness.”
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It's vital to understand that domestic abuse can happen to anyone – and that anyone can be a perpetrator. You're not alone, and you don't need to wait for an emergency situation to seek help.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, it's important to tell someone (when it's safe to do so). You can access emotional support – as well as practical guidance about the logistics of potentially leaving an abusive relationship – from the following organisations:
If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.
Refuge: You can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night. The staff will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and support.
Women's Aid: You can access support via Live Chat and/or via email at helpline@womensaid.org.uk.
Your GP: Find your local GP here.
Galop: If you identify as LGBT+, you can call 0800 999 5428 for emotional and practical support.
Karma Nirvana: Call 0800 5999 247 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) for forced marriage and honour crimes. You can also call 020 7008 0151 to speak to the GOV.UK Forced Marriage Unit
Men's Advice Line: Men can call on 0808 8010 327 (Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm), or visit the webchat at Men's Advice Line (Wednesday 10am to 11.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm) for non-judgemental information and support.
If home isn’t a safe space, Vanessa Garrity also recommends that “women should look for somewhere where they can feel safe, for example, with friends or family.”
On average, three women are killed by a man each week.
How can I protect my mental health if I've left an abusive relationship?
While not all women who have experienced abuse will go on to develop PTSD, Garrity explains that there's a “strong association” between domestic abuse, complex trauma and PTSD.
She further explains: “Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, counselling and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) can help you process and recover from past experiences that are affecting your mental health and wellbeing.
"Your brain can change and adapt to new experiences and mental health support can help women to process trauma and heal from experiences of abuse.”
"As well as exercise, self-care, mindfulness and spending time with people who women trust and have positive relationships with. Women who have survived abuse benefit from trying to re-find their old selves before the abuse and reconnecting with the person they used to be.
“CBT, EMDR and coaching can all help to re-frame beliefs and long-term side-effects. It’s also good to set goals for your future self. Now you’ve left the abusive situation; you have a new chapter in your life. What do you want that to look like? Who do you want to be?”
For more information about emotional abuse and domestic violence, you can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247.
If you're worried someone might see you have visited this page, the Women's Aid website tells you how to cover your tracks online.
For more from Glamour UK's Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.
GLAMOUR is campaigning for the government to introduce an Image-Based Abuse Bill in partnership with Jodie Campaigns, the End Violence Against Women Coalition, Not Your Porn, and Professor Clare McGlynn.
