October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Every year, over 10 million people experience physical abuse from their intimate partners and survivors are at higher risk for mental health conditions. This month, and throughout the year, we remain committed to increasing awareness of resources to support the mental health workforce and the community.  

Below are some resources our Network has released that discuss domestic violence:

• Crossroads of Domestic Violence and Mental Health
• Domestic Violence [Context Clues: Using Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) to Enhance Treatment]
• Gender Violence Booklet
• Intimate Partner Violence, Suicidality, and Disabling Psychiatric Conditions: Unique Risks, Needs, and Strategies
• Invisible Injuries - The Complex Intersection of Domestic Violence, Behavioral Health, Traumatic Brain Injury and Strangulation: Part 1 | Part 2
• Let’s Talk about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
• Managing the Impact of COVID-19 in Children, Families and Communities through Prevention Strategies
• Mental Health Treatment in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence
• Minimizing Risk for Conflict/Coercion in Families with School-Age Children
• Safe at Home: Domestic Violence Awareness Series Part 1 | Part 2
• Supporting Families of Young Children at Risk for Ongoing Domestic Violence
• Working at the Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health: Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis and Beyond

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also shares information on how you can raise awareness on domestic violence and get involved.  

• Attend a Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) event: Check out the HHS Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services calendar of events and resources.
• Participate in the Domestic Violence Awareness Project's social media campaign, #1 Thing, which encourages everyone to do just one thing to raise awareness about domestic violence.
• Attend the SAMHSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health (NTTAC) Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Awareness Month Series: Sessions will be held every Monday throughout October at 1 p.m. ET. To Register (for all sessions):
  • October 16: But They Love Me -- Dating Violence and Young People
  • October 23: Supporting Systems to Support Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
  • October 30: Best Practices for Mental Health Clinicians: How to Help Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
• Reach out for Help: Visit the free, confidential, 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline and the StrongHearts Native Helpline as well as SAMHSA’s Find Help webpage.
• Remind survivors that recovery to live a fulfilling, productive and happy life is more than possible.

For more resources on domestic violence, you can visit the websites for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health, and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.