This World Suicide Prevention Day, we’re changing the narrative: suicide prevention must include understanding domestic abuse and ensuring women can access the specialist mental health support they need.
Domestic abuse can have a profound and lasting impact on women’s mental health. One in two women seek mental health support because of domestic abuse, while nine out of 10 women identify counselling and mental health support as a priority need.
The link with suicide is stark. Domestic abuse-related suicides overtook homicides for another year, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (2026). Yet many domestic abuse-related suicides are not formally recognised as such, meaning the context of coercive control, threats and abuse can be lost.
Woman’s Trust is calling for wider case reviews that examine not only women who die by suicide, but also those who attempt suicide and survive. Understanding the role domestic abuse plays in suicidal crisis could help agencies intervene earlier and more effectively.
“It’s like living in your own prison in your head”
Angela believes she would not be here today without specialist help from Woman’s Trust.
She describes the lasting impact of abuse and chronic stress.
“Even if I was in the sun in another country, the thoughts would still be there,” she says. “It’s like living in your own prison in your head.”
For Angela, specialist therapy was not a luxury but a vital part of survival.
“You can’t listen to the dead. Sadly, they have been silenced by their abusers,” she says. “Listen to those going through it and learn from it.”
Specialist support can make a difference
Our services show the difference that specialist mental health support can make. Women receiving counselling reported a 74% reduction in suicidal thoughts and ideation and a 93% reduction in anxiety and stress. Among women attending therapeutic support groups, 91% felt less isolated and 96% reported reduced anxiety and stress.
But demand continues to outstrip available support. Half of the women who approach Woman’s Trust for specialist mental health support after domestic abuse are turned away due to chronic underfunding.
Through our Living Without Hope campaign, we are calling for £27.5 million per year to provide specialist mental health support for survivors.
Suicide prevention must include understanding domestic abuse – and ensuring women can access the support they need before they reach crisis point.
Help us give survivors hope. Please donate today.
See our campaign
Read our full Mental Health Strategy consultation response
