Mental Health Outcomes - Surviving SGBV
Key Reminder
It is essential to acknowledge that seeking help reflects strength and courage, not weakness. Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence are entitled to comprehensive support, justice, and the opportunity to build a future free from violence.
Introduction
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) constitutes a grave breach of human rights, disproportionately impacting women and girls, while also affecting men and boys. This form of violence encompasses acts such as rape, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and other detrimental practices. Survivors of SGBV frequently endure profound physical, psychological, and emotional trauma.
Mental health care is pivotal in facilitating survivors’ recovery, restoring their self-esteem, and supporting their reintegration into society. This discussion will briefly address the significance of mental health support, effective care strategies, prevention efforts, and pathways for survivors to access vital services.
Understanding the Mental Health Impact of SGBV on Survivors
Survivors of SGBV experience long-term mental health consequences, including:
Psychological Effects:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Recurrent flashbacks, nightmares, and intense anxiety.
Depression: Persistent sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.
Anxiety Disorders: Fear, panic attacks, and constant worry.
Suicidal Thoughts and Self-Harm: Feelings of worthlessness and escape through self-harm.
Emotional and Behavioral Impacts:
Reduced self-esteem and feelings of self-blame: Individuals may experience a diminished sense of self-worth, often internalizing guilt or shame as a result of their trauma, leading to persistent negative self-perception.
Challenges in establishing or sustaining relationships: Survivors may struggle with trust, intimacy, or emotional vulnerability, which can hinder their ability to form healthy interpersonal connections or maintain existing bonds with family, friends, or partners.
Exhibiting aggressive or withdrawn tendencies: Behavioral responses can vary widely, with some individuals displaying heightened irritability, anger, or aggression, while others may become socially isolated, emotionally detached, or excessively reserved as a protective mechanism.
Reliance on substance use as a coping strategy: To numb emotional pain or suppress traumatic memories, some may turn to alcohol, drugs, or other substances, potentially leading to dependency or addiction as a maladaptive means of managing distress.
Social and Economic Consequences:
Stigma and discrimination from family and community: Survivors often face social ostracism, judgment, or exclusion from their families and communities, exacerbating their isolation and hindering social reintegration.
Loss of economic opportunities due to inability to work: Physical, emotional, or psychological trauma may impair survivors’ capacity to engage in employment or education, resulting in reduced financial independence and long-term economic instability.
Increased risk of revictimization: The combination of social marginalization, economic vulnerability, and psychological distress can heighten survivors’ susceptibility to further exploitation or abuse, perpetuating a cycle of violence.
Mental Health Care for Survivors of SGBV
Mental health care plays an essential role in facilitating healing and promoting reintegration for SGBV survivors. It encompasses a range of evidence-based and supportive interventions, including:
Psychological First Aid (PFA)
PFA is an immediate, compassionate intervention designed to stabilize survivors emotionally and provide initial comfort following trauma. Key components include:
Active listening without pressuring speech: Offering a safe, nonjudgmental space for survivors to share at their own pace, if they choose.
Provision of practical support and information: Addressing immediate needs, such as safety or resources, while delivering clear, accessible guidance.
Linkage to additional services: Connecting survivors with relevant support networks, including medical care, counseling, or community resources.
Trauma-Informed Counseling and Therapy
Specialized therapeutic approaches help survivors process their experiences and rebuild resilience. These include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A structured, goal-oriented approach that assists survivors in processing traumatic memories, reframing negative thought patterns, and developing coping strategies.
Group Therapy: Facilitates peer-to-peer support in a safe environment, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation through shared experiences.
Psychosocial Support: Community-based initiatives, such as women’s safe spaces or social reintegration programs, that enhance emotional well-being and strengthen social connections.
Medication for Severe Cases
In instances of significant mental health challenges, such as severe depression or anxiety, medical professionals may prescribe:
Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications: Pharmacological interventions tailored to alleviate acute symptoms and support overall therapeutic progress.
Holistic Healing Approaches
Complementary practices can enhance emotional recovery and self-expression, including:
Meditation, yoga, and mindfulness practices: Techniques that promote relaxation, emotional regulation, and mental clarity.
Art and music therapy: Creative outlets that enable survivors to express complex emotions and reclaim agency in a nonverbal, therapeutic setting.
Physical activities: Engagement in sports, exercise, or movement-based programs to alleviate stress, improve physical health, and boost mood through endorphin release.
These integrated mental health strategies collectively aim to address the diverse needs of SGBV survivors, supporting their journey toward recovery and empowerment.
Prevention of SGBV and Promotion of Mental Well-Being
Efforts to prevent SGBV and foster mental well-being require a multifaceted approach, addressing individual, community, and systemic levels. These strategies aim to reduce incidence, mitigate risk factors, and support holistic recovery.
1. Individual Level
Raising awareness of personal rights and boundaries: Educating individuals about their inherent rights, consent, and the importance of maintaining personal autonomy to empower informed decision-making.
Building self-confidence and assertiveness skills: Equipping individuals with the tools to advocate for themselves, set boundaries, and resist coercion through targeted skill-building programs.
Learning coping strategies for stress and trauma: Providing training in evidence-based techniques, such as stress management and emotional regulation, to enhance resilience and support mental health.
2. Community Level
Engaging community leaders to challenge harmful norms: Collaborating with influential figures to dismantle cultural attitudes and practices that perpetuate gender-based violence, fostering a shift toward equitable social norms.
Providing safe spaces for survivors and at-risk individuals: Establishing accessible, secure environments where individuals can seek refuge, support, and resources tailored to their needs.
Encouraging male involvement in gender equality: Promoting active participation of men and boys in initiatives that advocate for gender equity, challenge toxic masculinity, and reduce violence.
3. Policy and Institutional Level
Strengthening laws and policies against SGBV: Developing and enforcing robust legal frameworks that criminalize SGBV, protect survivors, and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
Enhancing training for law enforcement and healthcare workers: Implementing comprehensive, trauma-informed training programs to improve responsiveness, sensitivity, and effectiveness in handling SGBV cases.
Increasing funding for mental health and survivor services: Allocating greater resources to expand access to counseling, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation programs, ensuring sustainable care for affected individuals.
These coordinated efforts across individual, community, and institutional domains aim to prevent SGBV, promote mental well-being, and create a supportive environment for survivors and communities alike.
Accessing Mental Health Services for Survivors of SGBV
Survivors of SGBV require access to mental health services that prioritize safety, confidentiality, and a survivor-centered approach to ensure effective care and recovery.
i. Where to Seek Help
A variety of resources are available to provide comprehensive support tailored to survivors’ needs:
Hospitals and Health Clinics: Offer psychological support alongside medical care to address both emotional and physical health needs.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Provide counseling, shelter, and legal assistance, often with a focus on holistic survivor support.
Women’s and Youth Centers: Serve as safe, inclusive spaces offering psychosocial support and opportunities for peer connection.
Government Social Welfare Offices: Deliver free or subsidized mental health services through public welfare programs.
Online and Tele-Helplines: Provide anonymous, accessible support for survivors seeking immediate assistance or guidance remotely.
ii. Barriers to Accessing Services
Several obstacles can impede survivors’ ability to obtain necessary care:
Fear of stigma and discrimination: Concerns about judgment or social exclusion may deter survivors from seeking help.
Lack of awareness about available services: Insufficient knowledge of existing resources can limit access to support.
Financial constraints: High costs or lack of affordable options may prevent survivors from pursuing mental health care.
Lack of trained mental health professionals in rural areas: Geographic disparities in service availability can restrict access for those in underserved regions.
iii. How to Overcome Barriers
Targeted strategies can enhance access and improve service uptake:
Awareness campaigns to reduce stigma: Public education initiatives that normalize seeking help and challenge societal attitudes toward SGBV survivors.
Community-based support groups: Localized networks that offer peer encouragement, reduce isolation, and provide practical guidance on available resources.
Free or subsidized mental health services for survivors: Expanded funding and policy measures to ensure cost is not a barrier to care, particularly for vulnerable populations.
By addressing these access points, barriers, and solutions, mental health services can become more equitable and responsive to the diverse needs of SGBV survivors.
Why Mental Health Support is Essential for Survivors of SGBV
Mental health support is a cornerstone of recovery for SGBV survivors, offering vital benefits that facilitate healing and restoration. Its importance lies in the following key areas:
Processing trauma and restoring emotional stability: Targeted mental health interventions enable survivors to address and work through traumatic experiences, fostering emotional resilience and balance.
Empowering life and relationship reconstruction: By providing tools to rebuild self-worth and trust, support services help survivors reclaim agency and strengthen interpersonal connections.
Reducing the risk of long-term psychological disorders: Early and consistent mental health care mitigates the potential development of chronic conditions such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Enhancing capacity for justice and societal reintegration: Access to mental health resources bolsters survivors’ confidence and emotional readiness to pursue legal recourse and successfully reengage with their communities.
These outcomes underscore the indispensable role of mental health support in addressing the multifaceted impacts of SGBV and promoting survivors’ long-term well-being.
Role of Society in Supporting the Mental Health of SGBV Survivors
The collective involvement of society is critical to ensuring that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) receive comprehensive care and support for their mental health. Each segment of society has a distinct and impactful role:
Families: Provide unwavering emotional support in a nonjudgmental manner, fostering a nurturing environment that validates survivors’ experiences and promotes healing.
Communities: Establish safe, inclusive spaces where survivors feel protected, while proactively identifying and reporting instances of abuse to prevent further harm.
Government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Deliver essential services, such as counseling and legal aid, and advocate for policies that prioritize survivor well-being and systemic change.
Religious and Traditional Leaders: Act as influential voices to confront and dismantle harmful cultural norms, promoting attitudes and practices that uphold gender equity and survivor dignity.
Through these collaborative efforts, society can create a supportive framework that empowers SGBV survivors to recover and thrive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is imperative to recognize that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) require robust mental health support to facilitate their healing, restore their confidence, and enable successful reintegration into society. Access to psychological care, community-based support, and legal protections forms the foundation of their recovery process. By prioritizing the prevention of SGBV and ensuring the availability of survivor-centered mental health services, society can cultivate an environment that promotes resilience and empowerment for all those impacted.
Further reading: https://www.copeandlive.foundation/blog/sgbv
Writer: Abubakar Magaji Yabo (AMNIM)
Sarkin Yamman Yabo,
Zonal Program Director NW and Sokoto State Coordinator
Cope & Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation and COLI Academy
Editor: Reverend Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, Founder and Executive Director of the Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation and Coli Mental Health Academy holds a Level 3 Mental Health Diploma and has extensive training as a Grief and Bereavement Counsellor, Depression Counsellor, Emotional Intelligence Life Coach, and Couple Counsellor. Further enhancing his expertise, Reverend Nwachukwu is a SAMHI Dual Diagnosis Practitioner and an International Olympic Committee Sports Administrator, bringing a unique blend of skills to his leadership in mental health advocacy and sports administration.
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