One in five JWA clients has a mental health condition, says charity

One in five women supported by Jewish Women’s Aid comes to the service with a diagnosed mental health condition, the charity has reported.

Heads of JWA, which supports women and children affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence, said that at least 20 per cent of their clients were struggling with a mental health condition, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

In addition to this, 30 per cent of JWA clients reported symptoms of poor mental health, such as anxiety and depression, which are often directly linked to the abuse they have experienced, they said.

Karen Lewis, JWA's director of client services, said: “Mental health struggles are not a side effect of domestic abuse; they are part of the abuse itself. For some women, the trauma of abuse triggers serious mental health conditions. For others who are already living with mental illness, abuse can worsen symptoms and make recovery far more difficult.”

To address the mental health crisis, over the past year JWA has strengthened its internal training in areas such as suicide prevention, self-harm, and addiction to better support survivors.

It has also delivered more than 2,100 counselling sessions for around 150 women, but Lewis said that JWA, which supports more than 800 women a year, needed more funding to address the mental health crisis.

JWA's Karen Lewis says that more funding is required to support clients struggling with their mental health (Photo: JWA)[Missing Credit]

“We’re urging policymakers, health professionals and community leaders to recognise this reality. With funding for additional trauma-informed counsellors, we could reach more women more quickly and ease the pressure on those already in crisis.”

Across the UK, one in four women experiences domestic abuse and one in five is sexually assaulted.

Domestic violence accounts for 18 per cent of all violent crime.

On average, women endure abuse for four years before seeking help, while Jewish women wait nearly 10 years.

JWA is the UK’s only specialist service for Jewish women and children affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. In addition to counselling, the charity provides support in legal advocacy, welfare and crisis intervention.

Lewis said: “JWA is here to support Jewish women and girls facing any form of abuse, whether physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual. No one should have to face abuse alone.”

For support, please contact: Jewish Women’s Aid Helpline: 0808 801 0500. Email: advice@jwa.org.uk. Website: click here or go to: www.jwa.org.uk

For immediate mental health support, ring: Samaritans on Freephone 116 123 (24 hours)

Or Shout’s 24/7 crisis text service.Text Jami to 85258 for free, confidential support