Addressing the Unseen Wounds: The Importance of Mental Health in Combating Gender-based Violence.
Author: Taala Foundation
Find out how trauma-informed care, holistic support, and community action can empower survivors and break the cycle of abuse. This article explores the hidden emotional scars of GBV and the urgent need for mental health awareness.
Survivors not only endure physical trauma, but also endure mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and isolation. These internal scars greatly hinder their ability to move forward with their lives, highlighting the crucial importance of prioritizing trauma-informed care and mental health support in GBV recovery initiatives.
The psychological impact of gender-based violence (GBV)
The effects of violence can linger for survivors, even long after the initial event has passed. Take Sharon, for example, who suffered through both emotional and physical abuse. She frequently wakes up to feelings of fear, distrust, and despair that disrupt her everyday routine. Unfortunately, this emotional strain is only intensified by societal stigma and a lack of open dialogue, which can lead to survivors feeling even more isolated as they struggle with their pain alone. As a result, untreated trauma often leads to ongoing mental health struggles that impact not just individuals, but also families and communities at large, demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of GBV.
The Need for Trauma-Informed Care.
In order to fully recover, survivors require support systems that extend beyond simply recognizing their pain. They require a holistic, trauma-informed approach that focuses on safety and trust. This means addressing their mental health in addition to their physical and legal needs. Trauma-informed care acknowledges the individual journey of each survivor and provides personalized therapy, peer support groups, and accessible mental health resources to facilitate healing. It also involves educating healthcare professionals, community leaders, and law enforcement on how to handle cases with empathy and compassion.
Read Also: The Polycrisis and Its Impact on Gender and Sexual Diverse Communities.
Solutions for Communities and Policymakers
Communities and policymakers have crucial roles to play in addressing GBV and providing support to survivors. Let us take a look at ways in which they can take action:
- Promote Awareness: Public campaigns must challenge societal norms that perpetuate GBV, emphasizing the importance of mental health in recovery.
- Create Safe Spaces: Communities can establish trauma-informed centers where survivors access care without fear of judgment.
- Policy Reform: Governments must prioritize mental health in GBV strategies, ensuring survivors receive affordable therapy, legal aid, and protection.
- Engage Men and Boys: Preventing GBV involves addressing harmful gender norms and fostering respectful relationships.
- Amplify Survivor Voices: Sharing survivor stories helps dismantle stigma, promoting a culture of support and accountability.
Take action now!
To eliminate GBV completely, we must acknowledge and heal the emotional wounds it inflicts. This means making mental health care a priority in the recovery process, rather than an afterthought. By showing compassion, advocating for change, and implementing systemic reforms, we can build a world where survivors are met with support, perpetrators are held responsible, and GBV becomes a thing of the past.