Over 40% of women had suicidal thoughts as a result of abuse
SUICIDAL thoughts are experienced by over 40% of women who are subjected to relationship abuse.
This is according to Women’s Aid, who conducted research as part of their #TooIntoYou campaign, a four-week multi-media campaign which aims to highlight the “severe and lasting mental health implications of abuse”.
This information comes on the eve of World Mental Health Day, which falls on Tuesday, October 9.
The research conducted by the national women’s wellbeing charity, also found that one in five young women in Ireland, aged 18-25, have been subjected to abuse by a current male partner or ex.
“84% of these young women said that the abuse had a severe impact on them including suffering low self-esteem/self-worth, enduring anxiety and depression and being isolated or withdrawn from friends, family, and social events,” said Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid.
“Very worryingly, 44% of young women subjected to intimate relationship abuse experienced suicidal thoughts, with 19% of these young women disclosing that they had attempted suicide because of the abuse.”
Saying that psychological abuse can be ‘subtle’ and brushed off as ‘no big deal’, Mary Hayes, Project Lead of the #TooIntoYou campaign said: “For a young person starting to make their way in the world, maybe in their first intimate relationship, abuse can completely knock their self-esteem.
“If it’s your first relationship you won’t have anything to compare it to, so you might accept abusive behaviours as normal.
“If controlling behaviours are brushed off as "not a big deal," or seen as a normal part of a relationship, then it creates a harmful picture of what young people should expect in their intimate relationships. Very often, they will be made to feel that they are to blame for how their partner treats them. It can be very confusing.”
Women’s Aid’s #TooIntoYou campaign will run from October 9 to November 6. Support for anyone affected: Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900, open seven days a week.