» New Resource – Information Memorandum from SAMHSA and ACF calls for collaboration on domestic violence, substance use and mental health

An Urgent Call for Collaboration at the Intersections of Domestic Violence, Substance Use and Mental Health

On October 16, 2019 at 2pm CT, NCDVTMH will be offering a webinar to share research and recommendations from a new Information Memorandum issued by U.S. Department of Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on the intersections of domestic violence, substance use and mental health.

Here’s What You Can Do:

Overview

It has long been recognized that abuse by an intimate partner can have traumatic mental health and substance use effects. At the same time, there are high rates of domestic violence (DV) among people who receive treatment in mental health and substance use disorder treatment settings. In addition, people who perpetrate DV deliberately use mental health and substance use-related issues to undermine and control their partners and to keep them from achieving their treatment and recovery goals. These forms of abuse not only jeopardize the well-being of survivors and their children, but also compromise the effectiveness of mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

Knowing how to respond appropriately when a person is in immediate danger or contending with an abusive, controlling partner is essential to supporting the safety and well-being of survivors and their children. While most clinicians report that they would like additional training and resources on identifying and addressing domestic violence, many also report that they have not received training on how to ask or respond to domestic violence in the context of mental health and substance use treatment. Similarly, many DV programs report challenges in accessing services for survivors and their families with more complex mental health and substance use-related needs.

In order to address the critical intersections between DV, substance use and mental health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Administration for Children and Families (ACF) produced an Information Memorandum in collaboration with experts at the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health (NCDVTMH).

The Information Memorandum cites research with the following findings:

Domestic violence has significant mental health and substance use effects.
There are high rates of domestic violence among individuals seen in mental health and substance use disorder treatment settings.
Domestic violence is often targeted toward undermining a partner’s mental health or substance use treatment and recovery.
Abusive partners undermine their partners’ relationship with their children, creating risks for children’s health, mental health and well-being.
Experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder places individuals at greater risk for being controlled by an abusive partner.
Stigma associated with substance use and mental illness contributes to the effectiveness of abusive tactics and can create barriers for survivors when they seek help.

Based on these findings, the Information Memorandum makes an urgent call to action for State Mental Health and State Substance Use Disorder Treatment Directors and State Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Administrators to collaborate in order to meet the needs of survivors and families experiencing domestic violence in partnership with state, territory and tribal domestic violence coalitions. Available training, resources and potential partners for developing effective responses are detailed, as well.

For more information, visit Resources for Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Support Providers or contact us at: kalegria@ncdvtmh.org

Download the full Information Memorandum (PDF)

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