Understanding Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Mental Health
- Matee Gooknuh
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
Key Points
Domestic violence affects millions and includes physical, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse.
Warning signs: controlling behavior, threats, isolation, or sudden financial restrictions.
Marginalized communities often face higher risks and barriers.
Abuse isn’t always physical; it can be gaslighting, isolation, or financial control.
Survivors may feel shame or isolation, but help is available.
Safety planning and reaching out to trusted people or organizations can empower survivors.
Raising awareness and supporting survivors is crucial for change.
Support is available 24/7 through hotlines, online resources, or local shelters.
Your safety and your story are important—and you are worthy of support just as you are.
By Matee Gooknuh
A home is often imagined as a sanctuary—a place meant for safety, love, and peace. But for millions of people, that image doesn’t match reality. The trauma of domestic violence touches countless lives every year, often hidden by silence and stigma [5]. Abuse doesn’t fit just one mold; it can show up as manipulation, isolation, financial control, or emotional harm that isn’t always visible. As we mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let’s bring these experiences into the open. Your voice matters, your experience is valid, and you deserve compassion and support.
In this blog, we’ll talk about what domestic violence is, what puts people at risk, and how to spot early warning signs. You’ll find helpful resources, tips for coping, and ways to connect with support if you or someone you care about is affected. Our goal is to break the silence, offer hope, and help build a community where everyone feels safe and supported.
Forms of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence isn’t always what you see in movies. It’s not just physical—it can be emotional, financial, or psychological. Maybe you’ve noticed someone using threats or insults to chip away at your confidence [6], or controlling your money [3]. Gaslighting and constant criticism can leave you feeling isolated and doubting yourself [1]. If any of this sounds familiar, please know your feelings matter—you’re not alone.
About 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men in the U.S. have experienced serious partner violence [6]. If you’re feeling down, ashamed, or isolated, reaching out is a brave step. No matter where you are in your journey, healing is possible.
Over 12 million Americans experience domestic violence each year, including Black women, men, and LGBTQ+ people [6]; [3]. Globally, only 40% of women seek help [9]. If you’re struggling, remember you’re not alone—help is here, and you deserve support.
Want to know more or get help? Visit:https://nnedv.org/about-dv/what-is-dv/
Coping Strategies
If you’re living with domestic violence, your safety comes first—and you’re not alone. Just thinking about your options is an act of courage. When you feel ready, reaching out to a local shelter or advocacy group can help with crisis housing, safety planning, or accessing legal and counseling support [7]. These services are confidential and judgment-free. Trusted friends or professionals can also help you explore your options and support you throughout the process. What’s happening is not your fault. You deserve to feel safe, and you get to choose what feels right for you, one step at a time. Support will be here whenever you’re ready.
Quick Reference: How to Reach Out for Help
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Create a safety plan and keep emergency contacts handy.
Document incidents and protect your privacy.- Seek support from trusted people or groups.
Practice self-care and consider counseling.- Know your rights and remember you deserve safety.
If in immediate danger, contact emergency services or a local shelter.
For more Resources : If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, reaching out is courageous. Support is available from friends, your community, and national helplines:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or thehotline.org
Love is Respect: 1-866-331-9474, text "LOVEIS" to 22522, or loveisrespect.org
National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-855-812-1001, or thedeafhotline.org
Strong Hearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483 or strongheartshelpline.org
For additional support, consider Telehealth resources like online counseling or joining a domestic violence support group.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health with Telehealth
Domestic violence can deeply affect your mental health, sometimes leading to anxiety, depression, trauma, or trouble sleeping [4]. If you’re struggling with these feelings, it’s not your fault, and you’re not alone. Shame and isolation can make reaching out feel difficult, but asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness [8].
Traditional support isn’t always easy to access—over half of survivors face barriers like privacy concerns or transportation struggles [7]. That’s where telehealth can help. Telehealth offers confidential counseling and legal support for survivors, with many services available in multiple languages and for diverse cultural needs [2]. Support groups, both online and in-person, can also help you feel less alone [4]. You’re not expected to have all the answers—hope and healing are possible, and support is here when you’re ready.
If you’re living with domestic violence, your feelings are valid and it’s not your fault. Anxiety, depression, trauma, or trouble sleeping are common responses. Reaching out for help takes courage, and you deserve support at your own pace. If you’d like to explore Telehealth counseling, you can connect with online services or get started here: https://www.athometherapyservices.com/
Call to Action
Reaching out for safety—such as contacting shelters or seeking legal assistance—can be a crucial step toward protection and healing. Join us the 22nd of October from 11-12pm for our webinar on domestic and partner violence, where you’ll learn how to recognize warning signs, understand the different types of domestic violence, and discover resources from leading organizations. Everyone deserves safety, support, and hope.
References
[1] American Psychological Association. (2022). Understanding psychological abuse. https://www.apa.org/topics/abuse/psychological
[2]Futures Without Violence. (2023). Multilingual and culturally specific resources. https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/resources-events/get-the-facts/
[3]Institute for Women’s Policy Research. (2023). Domestic violence and economic security. https://iwpr.org/issue/domestic-violence/
[4]National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2023). Domestic violence and mental health. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Individuals-with-Mental-Illness/Intimate-Partner-Violence-and-Mental-Illness
[5]National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (2023). Statistics. https://ncadv.org/STATISTICS
[6]National Domestic Violence Hotline. (2023). Get the facts & figures. https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/research/
[7]National Network to End Domestic Violence. (2023). Resources and support. https://nnedv.org/resources/
[8]Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Trauma and violence. https://www.samhsa.gov/trauma-violence
[9]United Nations Women. (2023). Facts and figures: Ending violence against women. https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures
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