Are You a Survivor of Domestic Violence? These 5 Mental Health Resources Can Help

The phrase “domestic violence” is often associated with a man hitting, shoving, or otherwise attacking a woman or child. That scenario certainly does involve domestic violence. But many other forms of domestic violence aren’t quite so easy to recognize. 

At Hudson River Care and Counseling, our clinical team helps people who have survived many types of abuse, like physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse. All forms of domestic violence and abuse take a toll on the survivors’ mental health. 

1. The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health (NCDVTMH)

The NCDVTMH offers hundreds of resources and tools to help survivors and those caring for them. One resource is titled Trauma, Healing, and Mental Health, and it provides information about topics like the interconnection between surviving domestic violence, increased risk of victimization, substance use, and mental health. 

2. domesticviolence.org 

Domesticvoilence.org is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides resources for people affected by domestic violence in the United States. They offer a long list of resources for people who are beginning to work toward getting out of a violent situation to those who are working to recover their mental health as survivors. 

The resources range from general, such as a document from the Office on Women’s Health with frequently asked questions about domestic violence, to more specific resources for particular groups of people, like a link to the Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence. 

3. The Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services (OFVPS)

The OFVPS is an office within the Administration for Children and Families. It oversees the federal funding for emergency shelters and related assistance for survivors of domestic violence. Their website provides a list of federal resources. 

This extensive list includes everything from obtaining a new social security number and getting relief from taxes if your spouse underpaid on a joint return to information for federal employees, veterans, students, and other groups. 

4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Understanding what trauma is and how it can affect your mental health is an important part of surviving and recovering after a domestic violence situation. SAMHSA defines trauma as “an event or circumstance resulting in: physical harm, emotional harm, and/or life-threatening harm.” The website describes some of the ways experiencing trauma can affect your life and mental health and links to resources to help you begin healing. 

5. Hudson River Care and Counseling

Our counselors provide personalized care to fit your life, preferences, and circumstances. Individual therapy, group counseling, and various support groups are available. You may choose spiritual or religious-based counseling, as well. 

We understand the difficulties of leaving an abusive situation and the barriers you face afterward. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about the resources available and how they can help you regain and maintain good mental health after experiencing domestic violence.