Mental Health Promotion

This paper discusses various types of violence, the link between violence, trauma, and mental health. Besides, it critically assesses some of mental health promotion approaches in the prevention of intimate partnership violence as well as discussion on the role of a nurse in these mental health programs.

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION 1
Mental Health Promotion
Name of Author
Institution of Affiliation
Date of Submission

MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION 2
Mental Health Promotion
Introduction
Violence remains one of the global health issues that is affecting more than 2 million
people every year (Widom & Wilson, 2015). It is defined as an act of physical force whose
intention is to cause harm or damage (Widom & Wilson, 2015). The damage caused by violence
may be psychological, physical, or both. There are different types of experience that are
experienced in Australia (Widom & Wilson, 2015). They include family violence, domestic
violence, and sexual violence. The three are a major national health issue that can have lifelong
effects on both the victim and the perpetrators (Cadilhac et al., 2015). In Australia, Mental health
illnesses are regarded as the largest contributor to the burden, which is largely as a result of
domestic violence (Widom & Wilson, 2015).
This paper discusses various types of violence, the link between violence, trauma, and
mental health. Besides, it critically assesses some of mental health promotion approaches in the
prevention of intimate partnership violence as well as discussion on the role of a nurse in these
mental health programs.
Part A
Violence remains a global issue that results in deaths of more than 1.8 million people
every year (Talbott, 2012). It remains one of the leading causes of death in the world. It refers to
as an act of physical force whose intention is to cause harm or damage (Widom & Wilson,
2015). The damage caused by violence may be psychological, physical, or both. It has a number
of negative impacts on those who experience or witness it (Talbott, 2012). As a result of
collective or interpersonal violence, many people Australian citizens have lost their lives
whereas these who have survived have experienced non- fatal injuries (Talbott, 2012). In other

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words, violence is like an enemy or terrorism that is slowly taking our friends away. As per
(Talbott, 2012), around 7000 cases of death caused by violence is reported in Australia every
year.
There are different types of experience that are experienced in Australia. They include
family violence, domestic violence, and sexual violence. The three are a major national health
issue that can have lifelong effects on both the victim and the perpetrators. They both occur
across all the ages, but they predominantly affect females and children (Storer, Casey &
Herrenkohl, 2016). Family violence can be described as the abuse that is experienced between
family members. It may be as a result of conflict between partners, siblings or mentor and the
child. It commonly happens where perpetrators exercise their power and control over another
person (Wathen & MacMillan, 2013).
The other common type of violence is domestic violence which also can be referred to as
intimate partnership violence and a subordinate of family violence. It is a form of violence that is
dependent on behaviors that isolate, intimate, frighten, coerce, threaten, or injure someone.
Besides, domestic violence can be in the form of physical, psychological, emotional, or sexual
abuse. It is influenced by an act of an individual to either gain or control power over others,
usually through fear (Jackson & Deye, 2015).The third common type of violence that is
experienced is sexual violence. It refers to a form of violence that is associated with sexual
behaviors against the victim’s will.
It is estimated that about 2.3 million Australians have been involved in sexual abuse. The
abuse may be as a result of conflict between their current partners, former partners or from
strangers. Besides, many have experienced sexual abuse from their violent employers or manager
(Wong & Mellor, 2014). Sexual violence can be as a result of perpetrators in a domestic

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relationship with former partners or strangers. Sexual violence also involves child sexual abuse
when a mature person uses his or her authority to involve a child in sexual activity (Jackson &
Deye, 2015).
Violence can also be grouped into psychological, physical abuse, abuse or sexual abuse
(Michau et al., 2015). Physical violence may include slaps, hits, choking punches, etc. Sexual
abuse can involve rape, sexual harassment, forcing someone to watch pornography, human
trafficking, etc. Psychological abuse may include humiliation intimation, and coercive control
may include restricting access to information, monitoring one’s movement among other activities
(Sherwood & Zomorodi, 2014). However, the national health data indicates that 2005-2016, the
rate of domestic or intimate partner abuse against women was comparatively stable (Michau et
al., 2015).
According to (Shorey et al., 2012), ladies are at a higher risk of domestic, family, and
sexual abuse, whereas men are highly likely to be submitted to violence from unknown persons.
One in every six Australian females. Additionally, the studies also show that in every 16 men, 1
man is at a risk of enduring either physical or sexual mistreat. Domestic, family and sexual abuse
happen repeatedly, and it is estimated that about 50 percent of Australian women have
experienced violence with their current or former partners (Wong & Mellor, 2014).
According to a statistic carried out between 2014-2015, in every eight ladies, two men
were admitted because they had been subjected to sexual abuse by their wives (Trevillion, et al.,
2012). Moreover, statistics from the year 2013 to 2014 showed that in every week one female
was killed due to mistreat from their current or former spouse, whereas in every month one male
was killed under the same circumstance (Trevillion, et al., 2012). Furthermore, about 23 percent
and 16 percent of men experienced emotional violence from their partners. Eighteen percent of

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Australian females and 4.7 percent of males have been subjects to sexual mistreat (Dillon et al.,
2016). According to records from Australian police (Wong & Mellor, 2014), there were 52
sexual abuse records against women each day and 11 records against men. These incidences
indicate that females have a higher risk to experience abuse from their partners than men.
Some groups of individuals in Australian society are at a higher risk of family, domestic,
or sexual violence (Sherwood & Zomorodi, 2014). Groups such as poor females, expectant
women, indigenous women, and women with disability have a high risk of violence. Various
qualitative studies have shown that youth who have suffered or experiencing sexual, domestic, or
family mistreat have a greater possibility of developing negative health effects (Sherwood &
Zomorodi, 2014). For instance, according to a study that was carried out by (Jackson & Deye,
2015), about 80 percent of children who are abused during their youthful stage have a greater
possibility of developing behavioral and learning issues.
Family and domestic violence have negative effects. Violence is the main cause of
homelessness for both children and women living in Australia. For instance, in 2016-2017, about
72000 women, 34000 children, and 8000 men were homelessness which was largely contributed
by domestic brutality (Stavrou, Poynton & Weatherburn, 2016).
Violence occurring from partner who are intimate also has negative effects on a women’s
wellbeing. The effects may include illness, premature death, and disability and premature birth,
among other effects. Studies show that in 2011, intimate partner violence were a major factor to
issues like burden disorders than any other factor to ladies aged 25 and above (Wong & Mellor,
2014). Sicknesses related to mental health were the key factors contributing to the burden,
which was mainly caused by intimate partner violence (Lagdon, Armour & Stringer, 2014). The
ammount of anxiety disorder was 35 percent which was followed by depressive illnesses with a

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proportion of 31 percent (Lagdon et al., 2014). Another negative impact of violence is that it
raises the financial cost. For instance, in the year 2016, the financial cost of ladies and children
who had suffered from violence was approximated to be 22 billion dollars. This is a high
financial cost that can negatively affect the Australian economy (Stavrou et al., 2016).
Various studies have documented the links between violence, trauma, and mental health.
The idea behind the relationship between the three is that violence may cause psychological
damage to the mind of the victim leading to stress. The continued abuse leads to an
overwhelming amount of stress that exceeds one’s ability to cope with, thereby leading to
trauma. Trauma is characterized by insomnia, fatigue, frequent nightmare, anxiety, irritability,
and poor concentration. Trauma may have short and long term effects on victims. Long term
effects of trauma that are as a result of abuse caused in a long period of time may lead to the
occurrence of mental health problems that can sometimes lead to death if not treated (Wong &
Mellor, 2014).
Trauma has lasting side-effects on the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of an
individual. Experience of whether domestic, family or sexual violence or any other trauma
makes one have a higher possibility of developing mental-related illnesses. Such mental health
disorder may include anxiety disorder, depression, and dementia. Various studies had confirmed
that exposure to violence increases the risk of developing poor mental wellbeing, including
anxiety and depression (Dillon et al., 2019).
Prevalence rates of mental illness as a result of trauma caused by violence are very high.
It is estimated that children aged 14 to 17 years have a mental illness that is as a result of
domestic violence. Anxiety is most common, which is estimated to be 14 percent (Stavrou et al.,
2016).

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Part B
Violence has always been present, and the world does not have to accept it as an
unpreventable human condition. There have been systems that range from legal, philosophical,
and religious which have been put to prevent the occurrence of violence and to reduce its impacts
in the society. There has been increasing concern on intimate partner violence. As a result, the
state government and health care sectors have featured the need to strategize into counteractive
action, improve the integration of service delivery to victims, and increase the accountability the
culprits (Wong & Mellor, 2014).
IPV, also referred to as domestic violence has become an area of concern to public
health. As a result of increased intimate partnership violence, many victims have been seriously
injured, become disabled, emotionally and psychologically traumatized. Besides, domestic
violence has left many Australian homelessness, no hope and anger (Jackson & Deye, 2015). As
a result they end up trying to perform suicide or develop mental health disorders that if not
treated leads to death (Jackson & Deye, 2015).
Additionally, it has been evidenced by various studies that domestic violence has led
families to experience regular conflict, police involvement and fear (Dillon et al., 2016). On
children, domestic violence has led them to blame themselves, develop emotional distress and
have low esteem (Dillon et al., 2016). As a result, they end up having mental health issues such
as anxiety and depression (Dillon et al., 2016). Mental health problem can make them engage

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themselves in alcohol and substance abuse thereby endangering their lives (Spivak et al., 2014). .
Furthermore, intimate partner violence has led many families to poverty, economic stress and
without a job thereby leading them to suicide related activities (Spivak et al., 2014). Besides,
many families have separated as a result of violence leading many children to be left without
parents or mentor (Cadilhac et al., 2015).
As a result of such negative impacts, various mental health promotion approached have been
put in place to prevent and reduce the effects of domestic violence. The desired outcome of these
mental health promotion approaches is to prevent domestic violence, thereby promoting positive
mental health. The promotion is aimed at teaching the community on safe and healthy
relationships skills. The approach plays a critical role in the prevention of domestic violence as
well as reducing incidences of mental health disorders. Evidence from various studies suggests
that poor communication skills and poor emotional regulation and conflict management put
individuals at risk of domestic abuse and mental health issues (Wong & Mellor, 2014). Thus,
promoting expectations for healthy and non-violent relations builds skills in these areas, thereby
reducing the risk for perpetration and victimization (Spivak et al., 2014).
The program constitutes social and emotional awareness initiatives for adolescents which
promotes expectations for correlative respect, caring, and unaggressive relationships (Widom &
Wilson, 2015). The program not only educates the youth on how to lead a lifestyle that is healthy
and safe but also offers them multiple opportunities to practice and reinforces their skills. The
program targets the adolescent population and those who are in school-based settings (Spivak et
al., 2014).

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The promotion also involves healthy relationship programs for adults. The approach
targets couples and it focuses on improving the relationship dynamics as well as one's prosperity
by improving refereeing and passionate guideline and skills (Lacey et al., 2013).
The other effective mental health promotion program that is effective in preventing
domestic violence is interventions to reduce alcohol and substance abuse. Alcohol and other
substance misuse is another contributing factor to sexual and domestic violence (Wong &
Mellor, 2014). Drugs and substance abuse are suggested to act on brain mechanisms which may
make individual to engage with violent and aggressive behaviors. Individuals who have taken
strong substance such as heroin or cocaine may commit violent crimes (Shorey et al., 2012).
In a study that involves 8000 participants who were addicted to different types of drugs
indicates that 80 percent of the participants had committed acts of serious violence such as
injury, murder, and rape. This indicates that drug and substance abuse is another contributing
factor to violence witnessed in society (Machisa, Christofides & Jewkes, 2017). Also, drugs are
considered as psychoactive and have the ability to affect one’s mood (Machisa et al., 2017).
They arouse certain emotions and cause a change in behavior, thereby contributing to mental
health issues such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia (Lagdon et al., 2014).
As a result of such impacts of drug and substance abuse, intervention programs that have
been set to reduce the misuse are effective. The promotion program effectively works in
preventing domestic violence as well as promoting mental health by reducing the misuse of
psychoactive drugs.
Nurses from mental health department are anticipated to work together with the
community members in a way that values respect, and examines the mental health issues. They
all have roles and responsibility in promoting the approaches that are aimed to reduce mental

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illnesses as well as domestic violence. The nurse has roles and responsibility to play in
promoting education on safe and health skills and promoting interventions to reduce alcohol and
substance use (Beccaria et al., 2013).
In the promotion of education on safe and healthy skills, a nurse has a critical role in
ensuring the program is effectively utilized in meeting the needs of the community. The nurse
has a role to play in addressing the psychological, social, relation, and personal issues that are
linked intimate partner violence abuse as well as mental disorders.
It is also the role of a nurse in visiting, educating, and motivating individuals with mental
health illnesses. In this case, a nurse may make the victims be aware of the effects of abuse to
their life and how to lower the risks of mental health illnesses. The nurse may motivate the
victims by providing care for their quick recovery. The nurse may also motivate the victims by
interacting with them and offering advice on overcoming the challenges that may be caused by a
domestic violent and mental health problem (Sherwood & Zomorodi, 2014).
Conclusion
Violence, which may be in the form of sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or family abuse, is
a serious issue that needs solutions. It has a number of negative impacts on those who experience
or witness it. Violence has many effects such as injury, disability, death, emotional and
psychological trauma such as anger and suicide and homelessness and mental health disorders to
the victim. Besides, it has led children to have emotional distress, low esteem, blame themselves,
experience anxiety and depression, and many other negative effects (Sarkar, 2011). For instance,
it is evidenced that human abuse is among leading causes of injuries, mental disorder and death
around the globe and its common to people aged between 15 to 44 years (Wong & Mellor,
2014).

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As a result of these negative impacts, promotion programs need to be put in place to
prevent incidences of violence. Some of the promotion programs that have been introduced
include education on safe and healthy skills and Intervention that are aimed to reduce alcohol
and substance abuse.

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