Startling data from The For Baby’s Sake Trust, a charity providing trauma-informed, therapeutic support to break the cycles of domestic abuse, underscores the urgent need for mental health-focused domestic abuse interventions.
As Mental Health Awareness Week approaches (13-19 May), the Trust issues a call for cross-sector collaboration to address the mental health crisis underpinning domestic abuse with their Healing Starts Here campaign, launched as part of The Big Give’s Kind2Mind fundraising initiative.
Internal data from the For Baby’s Sake programme, from over 200 surveyed parents, unveils concerning mental health statistics among those experiencing domestic abuse and using abusive behaviours:
- 66% of For Baby’s Sake parents have a mental health need.
- 69% of all For Baby’s Sake parents have experienced 6 or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), contributing significantly to the cycle of abuse and poor mental health.
- 23% of For Baby’s Sake parents engage in alcohol abuse, and 30% in drug abuse.
The correlation between domestic abuse, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and mental health is deeply intertwined and supported by extensive evidence. Data from The For Baby’s Sake Trust reveals that a significant percentage of parents who experience domestic abuse also report mental health challenges and a history of ACEs.
These adverse experiences during childhood, such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic abuse can have lasting effects on mental well-being, often leading to conditions like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adulthood.
Moreover, the trauma of domestic abuse itself exacerbates these mental health issues, creating a cycle that perpetuates the intergenerational transmission of abuse. Addressing mental health needs and providing trauma-informed care are essential components in breaking this cycle and promoting improved mental health for parents and infants. The Trust is therefore calling for a focus on addressing these underlying mental health issues to break the cycle of abuse.
For parents – For Baby’s Sake
CEO of The For Baby’s Sake Trust, Lauren Seager-Smith, states:
“The correlation between domestic abuse and mental ill health must be urgently addressed. We need a cross-sector approach involving healthcare, education, social services, and law enforcement to provide robust mental health support, early intervention, and trauma-informed care.”
This sentiment is supported by evidence from the King’s College London evaluation of For Baby’s Sake, which highlights the strong associations between domestic abuse and various mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, substance use, PTSD, and eating disorders. The data underscores the bidirectional relationship between domestic abuse and mental illness, emphasising the urgency of comprehensive interventions that prioritise mental wellness alongside addressing domestic abuse. Seager-Smith’s call for a collaborative, multi-faceted approach reflects the complexity of the issue and the need for coordinated efforts across sectors to create meaningful change.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, The For Baby’s Sake Trust urges individuals, organisations, and policymakers to prioritise mental health by; advocating for increased funding and resources for whole-family interventions, promoting cross-sector collaboration to identify and support individuals at risk of domestic abuse, and championing policies that prioritise mental health and trauma-informed care in domestic abuse programmes.
Find out more here: https://forbabyssake.org.uk/campaigns/healing-starts-here-mental-health/
