María Jesús San Pío FEAFES Coordinator

1. Mental Health Europe (MHE) Violence Against women with disabilities gains omen with disabilities as seen from civil societyHEALTH María Jesús San Pío FEAFES Coordinator

2. Mental Health Europe (MHE) FEAFES – SPANISH CONFEDERATION OF GROUPINGS OF FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS • FEAFES is the only organization in Spain that joins, since 1983 all the federations and associations of people with mental illness and families. • Nowadays FEAFES integrates 283 groupings with more than 45.000 members.

3. Mental Health Europe (MHE) • FEAFES •  Member of international mental health organisations (EUFAMI, WFMH, MHE) and also national ones (ASEPAM, CERMI, FUNDACION ONCE) •  Comprises the CEIFEM (Spanish Centre for Information and Training on Mental Illness) - 1998 •  Promoted FUTUPEMA and FEAFES EMPLEO – 2004 • Awarded by different institutions (Ministry for Health, Ministry for Social Policy and Employment, WFMH) • Involved on implementing the EFQM Model. Obtained ISO 9001:2008 Certification in 2010 by AENOR.

4. Mental Health Europe (MHE) FEAFES MISSION To improve the quality of life of people with mental illness and their families. To defend their rights.  To represent the Associative Movement. VALUES Leadership Justice Self determination Participation Efficacy Equity Democracy Solidarity Transparency

5. Mental Health Europe (MHE) A European non-governmental organisation committed to: the promotion of positive mental health and well-being the prevention of mental distress the improvement of care advocacy for social inclusion protection of human rights for people with mental health problems, their families and carers

6. Currently 68 member organisations in 30 European countries Mental health promotion NGOs NGOs representing users of mental health services NGOs representing users’ families Other European NGOs in the mental health field Research and educational institutions • Members of Mental Health Europe

7. Lobbies the European institutions to raise the profile of mental health and well-being on the European agenda Mainstreams mental health and well-being in EuropeanpoliciestogetherwithotherNGOs DevelopspolicyrecommendationsthroughitsEuropeanprojects Acts as a platform for exchange and collaboration amongEuropeanhealth and social NGOs Represents the interests of itsmembers and supports themwith information on Europeanpolicy and legaldevelopments Develops communication strategies and materials: newsletter, website, leaflets, press releases, position papers and media relations What does Mental Health Europe do?

8. MHE affiliation with European/global networks

9. Current Projects of MHE on Gender and Mental Health DAPHNE III: “Train, Improve, Reduce! Diminishthe mental health and psychologicalconsequences of violenceagainstwomenbydismantlingprejudices of lawenforcementagents” (2011-2012) DAPHNE II: “ViolenceAgainstWomen at workLet s talkaboutit!The mental healthimpacts of violence and harassmentagainstwomen at work” (2009-2010) • Projects of Mental Health Europe

10. DAPHNE: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AT WORK • Between 40 and 90 per cent of womenexperiencesomeform of violence and harassmentduring the course of theirworkinglives • Violence and harassment at workhaveimmediateeffects on the concernedwomen, including a lack of motivation, loss of confidence and reducedself-esteem, depression and anger, anxiety and irritability • MainObjectives: • Tocontributetotheprotection of women • Tocontributetotheprevention of violenceagainstwomen at work • Todevelop and carryoutanawarenessraisingcampaign • To identify, collectand disseminatebestpractices

11. DAPHNE III: TRAIN, IMPROVE, REDUCE ! • Domestic violence may have a both physical and psychological impact on the health of victims, and available data shows that: • 25% of all women who attempt suicide do so because of the psychological trauma caused by domestic violence • Women experiencing domestic violence are several times more likely to self-harm, be suicidal, misuse drugs and/or alcohol • Research found that 59% of domestic violence survivors had been admitted to a psychiatric in-patient clinic • Between 50% and 60% of women mental health service users have experienced domestic violence, and up to 20% will be experiencing current abuse • Project objectives: • To provide cross-cultural and gender-sensitive information on the mental health aspects of violence towards women • To develop training modules to train law enforcement agents who deal with abused women, promoting an adequate response to this issue • To promote an adequate attitude of police officers when dealing with victims of domestic abuse

12. Underlying factors • Links betweendomesticviolence, mental health and mental illness • Mental illnessisboth a cause and a consequence of domesticviolence • 50 to 60% of peopleadmittedtopsychiatrichospitalshaveexperienceddomesticviolence • A number of psychologicalproblemshavebeenidentified as beinglinkedtotheexperience of domesticviolence(including: negativeselfimage, isolation, PTSD, addictions, psychosis, selfharm, depression, eatingdisorders, suicide and attempted suicide) • Violenceagainstwomenwithdisabilities • Having a pre-existing mental illnessislikelytoexacerbatetheimpact of domesticviolenceon a women’slife • Womenwithdisabilities are more likelytoexperiencedomesticviolence and for more extended periods of time • Womenwithintellectualdisabilities (whonormallyfinditdifficult to reportviolence and abuse) orpsychosocialdisabilities (whose testimonies are interpreted as symptoms of mental illness) are more likely to experienceviolenceor sexual abuse

13. Domestic Violence and Suicide

14. Implications for policies and programmes • Mainstream policy on violence against women in all policies. Address gender-based violence and gender –role stereotyping through legislation and specific policies, programmes and interventions • Awareness raising and education activities • Secure sufficient and sustainable funding • Promote trainings about the consequences of violence against women aimed at law enforcement agents and medical professionals, with particular focus on women with special needs • Make support and services available for women with disabilities experiencing violence

15. Thank you very much Mental Health Europe – Santé Mentale Europe Boulevard Clovis 7, B-1000, Brussels E-mail:info@mhe-sme.org www.mhe-sme.org