Everyone who experiences domestic abuse (survivors and their children) will be impacted by these experiences. And you, as a friend, family member, neighbour, or colleague, are also likely to feel impacts, because you are close to the situation. Some of the impacts people experience are emotional ones. For example, feeling low, scared, upset, frustrated, worried, or helpless. People often struggle with these feelings, and may start finding it difficult to cope, especially if the feelings continue over a long time. For some people, feeling low, worried, or ‘out of control’ may lead to eating distress, issues with alcohol or drugs, or to self-harming thoughts and behaviours. Other people may feel ‘on edge’, exhausted, or overwhelmed. It is important to take some time to think about how you are being impacted, and whether there are things you can do to help yourself remain OK.
The organisations listed below are for everyone. You can pass on the details to the person you are supporting, AND you can also contact the organisations yourself.
If you, as a friend, family member, neighbour, or colleague of someone experiencing domestic abuse, are struggling to feel OK, please do contact one of the organisations. They will listen to you and can let you know about the services and support available (including any local support). If you feel able to, do contact them before things feel really bad, so that they can help you, as soon as possible, to feel more OK.
For some people, their GP (doctor) is the person they are most likely to talk to about how they feel. This is because doctors are seen as trusted individuals, who can help people if they are experiencing emotional impacts because of difficult situations, or are struggling with their mental health. GPs also have a role in referring people for specialist support, for example counselling.
If you are looking for a type of support that is not provided by the organisations listed below, Women’s Aid have a much larger list of specialist organisations.
If you look after yourself, you will be in a better position to help someone who is experiencing domestic abuse
| Organisation | Services | Contact details | Support offered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samaritans | Helpline service Self-help app | 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/ https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/self-help/ | Samaritans provides a free 24/7 telephone helpline offering listening support to anyone having a difficult time or struggling to cope. They also provide an email service and a self-help app. They are able to help people who are worried about someone else. |
| Mind | Mind Infoline | 0300 123 3393 https://www.mind.org.uk/ | Mind provides a telephone helpline (available Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm) offering information about mental health, and signposting to organisations that can offer help and support. |
| SupportLine | Helpline Email support | 01708 765200 https://www.supportline.org.uk/ | Supportline provides confidential emotional support to children, young adults, and adults by telephone (hours vary) and by email. |
| Self injury Support | Self Injury Helpline | 0808 800 8088 https://www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk/ | Self injury Support provides a free, confidential helpline (available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 7pm – 9.30pm) for women of any age affected by self-injury, whether their own or that of a friend or family member. They also offer email support and a text support service. |
| With you | Online chat service Online advice | https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/ https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/help-and-advice/ | With you is a free, confidential service providing online advice, and an online chat service, for people concerned about their own drinking, drug use, or mental health, or someone else's. They also have 80 local services with trained staff. |
| Anorexia & Bulimia Care (ABC) | Bookable support calls | https://www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/ | ABC provides bookable support calls (available Tuesdays to Fridays 9am - 4pm) offering advice and support to anyone affected by anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and any kind of eating distress (including friends and family members). They also offer peer-led support groups and email support. |
| National Self Harm Network (NSHN) | Online forum | https://www.nshn.co.uk/ | NHSN provides an online forum for people who self-harm and for the people who support them. |
| British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) | Counsellor Directory | https://www.bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists | Searchable online database of qualified, registered counsellors and psychotherapists. |
