Tag: mental health stigma

Effects that Domestic Violence has on Survivors’ Mental Health

Post author By Blog Author
Post date May 8, 2023

As a Lead Trauma Support Partner (TSP) and License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I wanted to touch on the effects that domestic violence has on survivors’ mental health, since its Mental Health Awareness Month. We know from research that domestic violence (whether you’ve endured it personally or witnessed it as a child) increases one’s risk of experiencing depression, anxiety, substance use, suicidal behaviors and PTSD. But what do these “labels” actually look like in the day to day? People think depression is “feeling down or hopeless” and while that’s true for a lot of people, depression can also look like irritability, increased or decreased appetite, need for sleep, and /or interest in sex. It can also look like someone no longer doing the things that they used to enjoy like connecting with friends or family, participating in a hobby or pleasurable activities. Similarly, people think anxiety is “intense worrying’ but anxiety can also look like increased irritability, difficulty concentrating or restlessness (feeling like you always have to be doing something) or feeling like something bad is going to happen. Maybe you’re short tempered with your kids or peers. Maybe you’re on edge all the time. These are all symptoms of anxiety. Lastly, people think PTSD is “flashbacks and hypervigilance” and again that is true, but PTSD can also look like difficulty concentrating, memory problems or forgetfulness, impaired functioning at home, school or work, feeling numb, wanting to be alone, engaging in risky behaviors and difficulty falling asleep. Its important to recognize these “other” symptoms so that you can get help (if you’re the trauma survivor) or you can adjust your interventions (if you’re the advocate). If you’re the trauma survivor and you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to someone – a trusted medical or mental health professional, a clergy member, a family elder, a friend or call 988 – the national crisis line if you’re in a mental health crisis. If you’re an advocate, ask the right questions, connect your client to services, be patient and understanding and most importantly, educate your clients about these other less common symptoms because it just might be what they needed to hear to seek out support. With so many service options (in-person, via tele-health and even text messaging), it’s never been more accessible to get the help you need. Join me this month as we work towards bringing awareness to mental health.

About the Author

Desiré Martinez, LCSW-S is a Lead Trauma Support Partner for HCDVCC.

Tags desire martinez, domestic violence, effects that domestic violence has on survivors’ mental health, harris county texas, healthy relationships, mental health, mental health awareness month, mental health stigma, mham, sexualviolence, trauma informed, trauma support partner, tsp

Community Share Op-eds Sexual Assault

Healthy Relationships

Post author By Blog Author
Post date May 1, 2023

1 in 3 teens will experience some form of physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse by a dating partner and approximately 8.5 million women experienced sexual assault before the age of 18. Teen dating violence, a form of intimate partner violence, is the most prevalent form of youth violence – affecting youth regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.

Just a couple months ago I was invited out to Austin, Texas to conduct a training for a group of young college-aged women. I began my presentation with the same eye-opening activity I always use – “Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Now, raise your hand if you either have experienced or know someone who has experienced some form of intimate partner violence. Now open your eyes and look around.” There was not a single hand in the room that was not raised…

After concluding my presentation with the young women, a few came up to me to express how they wished they had the opportunity to learn about healthy relationships before they had started dating. So, here is where you come in – preventing teen dating violence requires a broad coalition of parents, schools, and community organizations to join forces to start having conversations about healthy relationships at an early age.

Here are a few steps you can take to help prevent teen dating violence:

Become a trusted source for information about relationships – talk about relationships, including difficult topics like red flags, sex, and dating violence.
Teach your children about healthy relationships – how to form them and how to recognize them. Healthy relationships are built on trust, honesty, respect, equality, and compromise. Children need to hear about what constitutes a healthy relationship and how safe relationships are established.
Encourage children to be assertive – to speak up for themselves and voice their opinions or needs. Teach and model ways to say “NO!”
Help children recognize warning signs of an unhealthy relationship – include jealousy, controlling behavior, and other red flags.
Encourage children to be active bystanders – to take action/give support when a friend is in an unhealthy relationship.

Effective prevention and action has been seen to significantly decrease cases of intimate partner violence in teens. If you are interested in learning more about healthy relationships or wanting to set up a healthy relationships training, please email tishya@dayahouston.org.

Let’s do our part to decrease the number of hands that go up when asked “raise your hand if you either have experienced or know someone who has experienced some form of intimate partner violence.”

About the Author

Tishya Bedi is the Director of Outreach and Education at Daya Houston.

Tags daya, dayahouston, domestic violence, harris county texas, healthy relationships, mental health, mental health awareness month, mental health stigma, mham, sexualviolence, tishya bedi, trauma informed

DVAM Op-eds

Resolutions for 2023

Post author By Rebecca Councill
Post date December 11, 2022

In 2022 our community experienced extremely high rates of deadly intimate partner violence and ever-increasing felony level assaults. No one can watch the news on a nightly basis without hearing about another tragic death. Families are suffering and front-line workers are exhausted and cannot keep up with the need. Our community should never have to face losing a member due to intimate partner violence. As we look ahead to 2023, we ask you to join us in imagining our community without any intimate partner homicides.

There is a very long history of resolution making that begins on the very first day of the new year. Many reflect on the past year’s deeds and resolve to do better by creating positive change in the year ahead. If we could collectively look to the new year and imagine a safer community for families, what resolutions should WE make?

Join us in setting an intention for ending intimate partner deaths – what resolutions need to be made in our community? What would it take for our community to do better? Let’s resolve not one more death…

Adding your resolution by clicking the button on the right will add it to our website!

This is what our community said:

Mental health awareness at worksites that have a high number of employees without employer resources like health insurance. For example, refinery workers, that work long hours.

More affordable housing.

Competitive pay for advocates.

The resolution I would make is to continue sharing my story of overcoming domestic violence to inspire and encourage others to do the same!

I think it would take our community re-framing our mindset from domestic violence being a family issue to domestic violence is a community issue. And with our entire community taking a stance, we create a real possibility of living in a world free of domestic violence.

Funding to help those experiencing partner violence.

Better communication between law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system.

More funding for rehabilitation and re entry programs for those facing domestic violence charges.

More funding for preventative and community education – it is a community problem.

To shine a light on abusive behavior and resolve to not allow family or friends to minimize the damage of IPV with jokes or other minimizing behaviors.

I resolve to be a safe person for friends and family that are experiencing IPV in their lives.

I resolve to be an open door and answering questions a friend or family member has concerning the dynamics of intimate partner violence – no wrong questions.

I resolve to provide age-appropriate education and information to younger family and friends about the dynamics of IPV and how be in a healthy relationship.

Focus on rehabilitating offenders who typically victimize many and are often trauma survivors as well.

Treat others like you want others to treat you. (Simple yet difficult)

Media campaigns to bring education and awareness of the issue without blaming the victims, as well as providing essential resources to the community via funding for expansion of high risk programs.

About the Author

Executive Director of HCDVCC,

Barbie Brashear

Tags domestic violence, domestic violence awareness month, dvam, mental health, mental health stigma

DVAM Op-eds

October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Post author By Barbie Brashear
Post date October 17, 2022

For over 40 years our nation has observed national domestic violence awareness month in October. During these years the movement has accomplished many milestones, including improved laws and legislation, dedicated annual funding, the expansion of services across the nation, the adoption of protocols and tools to assess for lethality and improve safety planning, the implementation of a national domestic violence hotline, and so much more. So…I am wondering how and why there is neglect in giving attention and resources to addressing the root of the problem – what is causing the violence in the first place? There are so many factors that contribute to the perpetuation of intimate partner violence, and as someone who has offered training on the myths and facts of IPV, I am ever reminded that these myths are so powerful that they often control the narrative.

One of the first myths I learned to debunk was that violence is normal and just happens – it is not normal and there is choice in using tactics to attain power and control in a relationship. Might our community also have choice in adopting core values that demand and require the prevention of intimate partner violence? Might we require the adoption of measures that address the root cause and focus on learning what it means to have a healthy relationship? Might we prioritize and FUND interventions that address toxic stress and trauma in childhood, economic disparity and distress, gender based inequity, patriarchal control of women’s bodies and decisions – just to name a few? Might we increase and right size resources and funding to service providers so that they do not have to have waitlists or turn away those in need, as well as to law enforcement and prosecutors to give the dedicated time and attention required for fully addressing the criminal justice system needs of these cases? Might we prioritize financial resources to those fleeing – so that they need not flee at all -but be safe and housed as they want and choose? Might we prioritize resources for interventions that are devised to address those who are using violence in their relationships? In Harris County we have seen a tremendous and overwhelming increase in domestic violence felonies and homicides over the past two years, and it continues to grow. Every day a woman is severely injured or killed by an intimate partner. How is this OK?

I have the honor of being part of meetings on a regular basis with people in our community who have dedicated their lives to service. This includes police officers, prosecutors, social workers, and community advocates. Recently one meeting allowed for the sharing of the complete mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion being experienced – leading to questions of how are we really making a difference? Where are the resources that we need to really make a difference? Why do our community leaders not listen to what is truly needed? WE ARE TIRED! Tired of doing this really difficult work and still seeing families devastated, tired of women killed, tired of families being uprooted and homeless, tired of people being unable to access a service or leaving a message hoping someone will call them back, tired of people giving up hope, TIRED. This is UNACCEPTABLE! This month I am reflecting on the many stories of women who have used every ounce of MOXIE to survive, to get through another day, to find a way to accept hope and healing, to find their voice in anyway possible. I am also reflecting on the many people in service, those who work tireless, and thanklessly to try to improve safety and prevent homicides. The work is hard, the days are long, the thanks are few – AND – the need is GREAT, and the ability to effect change is possible – HOPE IS REAL. My sincerest thanks and gratitude for the many that continue this work – THANK YOU!

About the Author

Executive Director of HCDVCC,

Barbie Brashear

Tags domestic violence, domestic violence awareness month, dvam, mental health, mental health stigma

Community Share

You Are Worth It

Post author By Amy
Post date September 19, 2022

“I am depressed today” almost all of us have said this or felt this at one time or another in our life but according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Depressive disorder, frequently referred to simply as depression, is more than just feeling sad or going through a rough patch. It is a serious mental health condition that requires understanding and medical care. Left untreated, depression can be devastating for those who have it and their families. And then there is another side and as the World Health Organization (WHO) stated, “At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Over 700,000 people in the world die due to suicide every year”.

I know one of those 700,000 who lost their battle with depression. On the outside he seemed to have everything going for him, a loving wife, two amazing daughters who were just starting their lives after college, a partner in a company that was having a successful year, a supportive extended family, and more friends than most people could ever claim to know. He was always the life of the party from the first time I met him in college until the last time I saw him in July. I knew he suffered from bouts of depression. And I knew that it affected his behavior when I saw him, or more likely did not see him, because he did not want to do anything. His wife and daughters would say, “He doesn’t feel well today” but those of us in the know, knew he was in the midst of one of his bouts. He tried, boy did he try to beat this disease. He saw a doctor; he was on meds, and he struggled to overcome this debilitating disease but in the end it won.

I am so proud of his wife and daughters because they are talking about depression. They are not hiding the fact that he lost his battle and that his life ended when he died by suicide. They are using his death as a teachable moment. They are talking about depression and suicide. They have included it in his obituary, in their Facebook posts, in their conversations with anyone that will listen. They are spreading the message that someone who was always there for everyone, who was a little league coach, a proud father, a devoted husband, and an amazing friend can suffer from depression. Not everyone is okay. There is nothing to be ashamed of by seeking help. Check on your family and friends, I mean really check in with them. Let them know there is help available and keep encouraging them to seek that help. As his daughter said, “Everyday should be suicide prevention day. Everyday someone struggles and thinks they are alone when they have a whole army of love ready to fight with them. Mental health has a stigma in this society that needs to be broken especially with men. It does not make you weak or unmanly, it makes you a human who just needs some help.”

So to honor my friend and his beautiful family I am asking you- please get help if you need it. There is hope. You are worth it. I just wish he knew he was worth it. See you on the other side Bubba.

About the Author

Sr. Director of Operations and Communications for HCDVCC,
Amy Smith

Tags mental health, mental health stigma, stigma around suicide prevention, suicide prevention, suicide prevention month

Community Share

Suicide Prevention Month

Post author By Blog Author
Post date September 2, 2022

“We don’t really talk about suicide and that’s a problem; staying silent about suicide creates confusion, promotes stigma and isolates people when they need help the most.” The quote by Dr. Ali Mattu, Professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia, gives a call to action as we enter Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a complex, multifactorial public health issue. It is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-34 in the state of Texas and according to the 2022 State of Mental Health Report by Mental Health America, 4.58% (~11million people) of adults in the US reported having serious thoughts of suicide. From the Public Health perspective suicide is preventable by equipping the public with training and education about suicide and learning how to promote protective factors, understanding risk factors, and recognizing warning signs of suicide.

Protective Factors are characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. These include community and family connections, support for seeking help, effective mental health care, and lack of access to lethal means (firearms, weapons, prescription drugs).

Risk Factors are characteristics that make it more likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. The presence of risk factors is not indicative of possible suicide or suicidal ideation but help to understand which individuals may need additional support. Examples of risk factors include prior suicide attempts, experienced trauma (bullying, abuse), have a family history of suicide, experienced loss, or disruptions in an individual’s support system.

Warning Signs are indicators that an individual may be suicidal. If they are giving away possessions, using language (written or verbal) such as “ I wish I was dead” or “ Everyone would be better off without me”, seeking access to lethal means, increasing substance use/abuse, or experiencing sudden mood swings (depression, anxiety, loss of interest, shame).

I encourage everyone to get informed and do our part during Suicide Prevention month and every month to help save a life. If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal ideation, please connect them to the following local or national resources:

Suicide and Crisis Line: (988) a confidential text, dialing, and chat code for anyone experiencing a suicidal or mental health related crisis (feeling hopeless, overwhelmed by your thoughts, or that you may harm yourself)
National Alliance on Mental Health Houston Warm Line: (713-970-448) a peer-run hotline that offers callers emotional support and is staffed by volunteers who are in recovery themselves.
Mobile Crisis Outreach Team 24/7 Crisis Line: (713-970-7000) If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact The Harris Center Crisis Line. Crisis Line Specialists will determine if a MCOT referral can benefit you.

If you are interested in training opportunities and resources about Suicide Prevention, please visit our website at https://mhahouston.org/training/health-literacy.

About the Author

Nicole Milton, Program Manager at Mental Health America of Greater Houston

Tags mental health, mental health stigma, stigma around suicide prevention, suicide prevention, suicide prevention month

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