MHM Magazine

28 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 2023 | Issue 1 MHM all of which invade and violate their physical and psychological integrity. The connection between violence and mental health issues is much higher for women. Several studies have concluded that women with a previous history of surviving physical violence have significantly higher incidences of major depression. Almost 50% of women who have experienced violence often also have had a mental health diagnosis. The risk of developing depression, PTSD, substance use issues or becoming suicidal was three to five times higher for women who had experienced violence. Any kind of gender-based violence (GBV) has complex short and long-term consequences on women’s physical, sexual and reproductive and mental health as well as on their overall well-being. Inclusive of the mental health impacts for survivors of gender-based violence, anxiety, substance use disorder, self-harm and suicidal ideation, and sleep related issues are all experienced. WHAT ARE THE SOCIAL CHALLENGES HERE? The stigma associated both with gender-based violence and mental health concerns can stop women from sharing their experiences, from reporting the incidents, and from accessing support. Many women say the fear of not being believed by their friends, family, or law enforcement keeps them from ever sharing their experiences. Some fear losing custody of their children which prevents many women from disclosing their experiences. Women who experience mental health concerns are even less likely to report that they have experienced violence, as their mental health is often used to discredit their experiences or to blame them for what happened. Intersectional factors like living in poverty and discrimination due to age and sexual orientation are also other barriers to accessing support. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS? Providing an empathetic listening ear, inquiring about their needs, validating what the survivor is saying, enhancing their safety and support and creating safe spaces for women are the components of first-line psychosocial support that any health care provider should know how to do. There is a need for institutional support to be strengthened for women experiencing mental health concerns, both for prevention of violence before the occurrence and addressing the violence and its impacts later. This requires free or affordable access to long- term counselling, affordable and/ or free safe shelters and childcare supports, better legal assistance, and work opportunities. Individually, people, communities and families have to inform themselves of the ways that both violence and mental health concerns affect women and girls. They need to be trained and made aware as to how to offer non-judgmental support, active listening and offer logistical help to find resources. This will go a long way in breaking the stigma and the isolation that women experiencing violence often undergo. We also need to support organisations that are addressing gender-based violence and mental health in our community. A policy of DO NO HARM can be followed in an effort to assist survivors’ mental health. The key principles are: • SAFETY It’s essential to ensure the safety of the survivor and their family at all times, including their children and people who have assisted them. • CONFIDENTIALITY Respect the confidentiality of survivors (and their families) at all times by not disclosing any information, at any time, to any party without the informed consent of the person concerned. Ensure the survivor’s trust and empowerment. • RESPECT All actions or decisions should be guided by respect for the survivor’s choices, wishes, rights, and dignity. • NONDISCRIMINATION Survivors should receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of their age, sex, race, marital status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic. • HONESTY Survivors should receive honest and complete information about possible referrals for service, be made aware of any risks or implications of sharing information about the situation, and have the right to limit the types of information shared and whom it’s shared with. Community response has proven essential in preventing GBV, with organisations teaching pupils about sexual activity, violence and consent. They also teach men to talk about anger issues and recognise their violent behaviour, as part of a programme to unteach toxic masculinity in the hope this will break the cycle. Non-profit organisations are also spreading awareness and bringing proposals to the government, including proposals to change laws and increase harsher sanctions for sexual assault. The urgent need to eradicate GBV and femicide has been highlighted by many within SA as the current situation can be described as a ‘war being waged against the women and children of our country’ as said by the President  As a nation we need to challenge the gender stereotypes and roles, confront the sexist jokes and derogatory remarks about women and challenge the normalisation and condoning of violence against women and children and therefore protecting their well-being mentally, physically and emotionally. References available on request.