Victims of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) pay a huge price. There can be medical costs and legal fees. They might lose income after being forced to leave a job. They can even incur the expenses of having to move to another home or city.
But the significant mental health damage that frequently follows being abused in a violent relationship is one of the most costly repercussions of all. So, what does IPV-related mental health care really cost Ohio? A recent report, The Economic Impact of Intimate Partner Violence in Ohio, commissioned by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN), provides a detailed analysis and concludes that the mental health damage caused by perpetrators costs much more than we imagined.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, twenty percent of all IPV survivors develop mental health conditions, ranging from anxiety and depression to substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorders.
When someone has just been physically abused or is trying to leave a violent situation, emergency mental health intervention can help with trauma. Immediate counseling or substance use treatment can start the healing journey. But mental health issues related to IPV can require professional attention for an extended period. Anxiety and depression symptoms typically respond well to medication, but a treatment provider’s long-term care is important for guiding IPV victims through their recovery.
Group therapy can be helpful for those affected by IPV. Since chronic exposure to domestic violence can cause a person to isolate from friends and family, group therapy represents a new, supportive community. But effective long-term help is expensive. The cost of care can be a strain, both for the patients who may not have insurance coverage and for the organizations helping them.
In Ohio, the cost of addressing the mental health concerns for victims of Intimate Partner Violence is conservatively estimated at $122.4 Million per year. That’s more than ten percent of the economic impact of IPV on the state, and it exceeds the cost of policing, court costs, child welfare and shelters.
In Lucas County alone, addressing related mental health issues costs $4.4 Million. That’s a higher percentage than in the counties serving Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton.
A sense of community and stronger policies can improve the mental health outcomes of IPV victims. Emotional and mental health support, provided with dignity and respect, make it possible for survivors to find a path to healing from violence.
To learn more about the mission of Bethany House and some of the small ways you can make a big impact, visit https://bethanyhousetoledo.org/ways-to-help/
Sponsored Ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio
Member of the Sylvania Franciscan Ministries