Tuesday 10 September marks World Suicide Prevention Day and the theme for this year is "Changing the Narrative on Suicide" with the call to action to "Start the Conversation".
This theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides.
Sandwell Council and Sandwell’s Domestic Abuse Strategic Partnership are highlighting the fact that domestic abuse can have a severe and lasting impact on mental health and emotional wellbeing both for adults and children. Experiencing abuse or other trauma can lead to anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress, as well as sleep disturbances, eating disorders, self-harm and substance use. In some situations, it can even lead to suicidal thoughts or attempting suicide.
Domestic abuse isn’t always physical. Emotional abuse can have a devastating impact on mental health and may be used to control another person by using their emotions to criticise, embarrass, shame, blame or otherwise manipulate them. Although domestic abuse disproportionately affects women, it is important to recognise that anyone can be a victim or perpetrator of abuse. Exposure to domestic abuse can also have a significant impact on children's mental health.
If you are in a relationship that is physically or emotionally abusive, where there is a consistent pattern of abusive words and bullying behaviours and /or violence used, this can understandably lead to feelings of anxiety, poor mental health and even suicidal thoughts. However, help and support is available.
Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Deputy Leader, Neighbourhoods and Community Cabinet Member at Sandwell Council, said: “Domestic abuse isn’t always physical. Emotional abuse can be just as devastating and can happen to anyone, and anyone can be an abuser. Sandwell Council works with a range of partners throughout the year to help those experiencing domestic abuse. If domestic abuse is happening to you, or you are worried about someone you know, it’s important that you tell someone – you don’t have to wait for an emergency to find help.”
Useful contacts
Always dial 999 in an emergency.
For anyone experiencing domestic abuse, visit our advice webpage for help and support available.
For specialist support:
Black Country Women’s Aid: 0121 552 6448
Ask Marc offers help and support for men: 0121 289 6402
Birmingham LGBT Centre: 0121 643 0821.
Sandwell Talking Therapies is a free Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust service that provides psychological therapies for people experiencing common mental health problems such as low mood, depression, anxiety and stress. You can self-refer via the Sandwell Talking Therapies webpage or by speaking to your GP.
Sandwell Talking Therapies is not an emergency service, if you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call NHS 111, and choose option 2 and you will be directed to local crisis support.
You can also call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or via the Samaritans website.