The following resources address the co-occurrence of domestic violence and mental health disorders.
Abuse and Mental Illness: Is There A Connection?
National Domestic Violence Hotline (2015)
Discusses how mental health conditions, while they may be serious, do not cause abuse. It explains that while there are a few diagnoses that can increase the risk of abusive behavior, but abuse and mental illness are separate.
Critical Components of Including Domestic Violence Safety and Response in Mental Health Reform (PDF - 285 KB)
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health (2019)
Explains how domestic violence should be included in mental health reform and stresses the importance of preparedness to respond to domestic violence in the context of behavioral health settings.
Domestic Violence and Mental Health Collaboration Project
Coalition Ending Gender-Based Violence (2017)
Describes an effort to improve the lives of domestic violence survivors impacted by mental health concerns as a result of trauma or whose existing mental health issues have been exacerbated by domestic violence.
Hard Times and Healing Toolkit: A Resilience Framework for Domestic Violence and Adverse Childhood Experiences
Chamberlain (2017)
ACEs Connection Network
Offers a free toolkit on the intersections between domestic violence and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) created with support from the Arctic Fulbright Initiative. The toolkit is the result of a survey in Alaska and focus groups in Finland that collected recommendations for information to be included. Pilot trainings and testing occurred with several Tribes in Western Washington State and with domestic violence workers and community partners in other locations.
Information Memorandum on the Intersection of Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and Substance Use
Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau (2019)
Presents an information memorandum issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Administration for Children and Families that calls for increased collaboration between domestic violence, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment service providers and systems.
Intimate Partner Violence —What is it and What Does it Look Like?
Marques (2018)
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Describes intimate partner violence and the long-lasting effects it can have on a woman's physical and mental health.
Module 3: Understanding Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders, Mental Health/ Trauma, and Domestic Violence (PDF - 4,844)
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (2019)
Presents a guide for child welfare workers about substance use and co-occurring disorders among families involved with the child welfare system. The training toolkit presents information on engagement and intervention with these families; case planning, family strengthening, and planning for safety for these families; the needs of children whose parents have substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders; and more.
Recommendations for Suicide Prevention Hotlines on Responding to Intimate Partner Violence
Warshaw, Foley, Alpert, Amezcua, Feltes, Cerulli, & Murphy, et all. (2018)
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health
Provides guidance for suicide prevention crisis centers on recognizing and responding to domestic violence in the context of suicide prevention. The document provides recommendations to suicide prevention hotlines on how to prepare staff to respond to intimate partner violence.
Research on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, VAWnet (2019)
Discusses the link between abuse and mental health and the mental health consequences of intimate partner violence. The website links to two relevant materials on lifetime trauma as a result of domestic violence.
Responding to Domestic Violence in the Mental Health and Substance Use Fields
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health (2019)
Offers resources for mental health and substance use treatment and recovery support providers in their work with intimate partner violence survivors and their children. The resources include toolkits, best practice guidelines, webinars, and more.
Trauma-Informed Approaches to Domestic Violence Exposure, Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resiliency [Webinar]
Futures Without Violence (2015)
Explores adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and childhood exposure to domestic violence and discusses strategies for trauma-informed parenting to prevent the intergenerational transmission of ACEs.
Women Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence and Prenatal and/or Postpartum Depression: Prevalence and Interventions (PDF - 357 KB)
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health (2016)
Explores the relationship between intimate partner violence and prenatal/postpartum depression in women. Studies indicate women who experience domestic violence are more likely to develop depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.