Resources for Learning More About Abusive Relationships, Trauma Recovery, and Mental Health

By Christine Murray

An important step that community supporters can take to be better equipped to support survivors in their healing journey is to seek out additional training and information to understand common experiences that survivors face. 

Of course, it’s always important to keep in mind that every survivor’s experience will be unique, but some foundational knowledge about common dynamics of abusive relationships, trauma recovery, and mental health is extremely valuable for being able to offer adequate support.

In today’s Pathway for Community Supports blog post, I’ll share some resources that I’ve reviewed and believe to offer credible information that may be helpful to professionals and other community supporters, including family members and friends who are concerned about a loved one. 

I’ve divided the resources below into three categories: (1) the dynamics of abusive relationships and impacts on survivors, (2) recovery from trauma and abuse, and (3) general mental health information resources.

Please note: Since the list below includes a lot of links to external resources that I don’t have control over, it’s likely that their availability and/or the information they include may change over time. Therefore, please consider this list current as of the day this post is being shared (Tuesday, January 16th, 2024), and please consider carefully when you review these and any other resources about sensitive topics like these to decide for yourself whether they are credible and relevant to the unique circumstances of any survivor you are supporting.

Resources about General Dynamics of Abusive Relationships and Their Impacts on Survivors

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline: This is an important resource for everyone to know, since the Hotline offers 24/7 support via call, chat, and text. Additional resources available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline include the following:
  • A searchable database of service providers
  • A website section focusing on Identifying Abuse
  • An interactive safety planning guide
• The Learn More section of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website. Additional helpful resources from NCADV include the following: 
  • A listing of national resources that support victims and survivors of domestic violence
  • A listing of state domestic violence coalitions across the US
  • A national conference held annually by NCADV
• Resources from the National Network to End Domestic Violence, including the following:
  • A list of FAQs about domestic violence
  • WomensLaw.org, which offers “plain-language legal information for victims of abuse” and is also available in Spanish
  • A Resource Library
  • Toolkits, which include toolkits on the topics of technology safety and privacy, DV & HIV/AIDS, and Transitional Housing
• Learn about and download the Power and Control Wheel from the Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs website
• DomesticShelters.org offers a series of Comprehensive Guides, covering topics that include child custody issues, restraining orders, stalking, and spiritual abuse
• HelpGuide.org’s resource on Domestic Violence and Abuse
• The Joyful Heart Foundation, in the “Learn” section of their website, has resources to learn more about sexual assault, domestic violence, and child maltreatment.  
• Psychology Today offers an informational site about domestic violence, which includes  a focus on the impacts of abuse 
• Focusing on teen and young adult relationships: Loveisrespect.org offers resources that include the following:
  • A searchable resource database
  • Information about healthy relationships
  • Resources on how to support someone who is in an abusive relationship

Resources about Recovery from Trauma and Abuse

• Download a free pdf version of the Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services Treatment Improvement Protocol Series, #57, developed by SAMHSA, through the National Library of Medicine
• Resources from HelpGuide.org:
  • Emotional and Psychological Trauma
  • How to Cope with Traumatic Events
• Article from the Cleveland Clinic: How to Heal from Trauma
• Article from domesticshelters.org: Stages of Recovery After Trauma
• Article from NIH News in Health: Dealing with Trauma
• Article from the NIMH: Coping with Traumatic Events
• Article from UPMC: Phases of Trauma Recovery: How to Reclaim Normalcy After a Crisis

General Mental Health Information Resources

• The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is another important resource for everyone to know about. The Lifeline offers 24/7 support related to mental health crises. 
  • Also visit the Learn section of the 988 Lifeline website for information about mental health and suicide prevention. 
• Mental Health America offers information about categories of mental health-related topics.
• Mental Health First Aid offers an extensive list of links to online mental health resources.
• The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers information (including statistics, fact sheets, and information about accessing help on their website. 
• Visit the Educational Resources section of the Anxiety & Depression Association of America website
• SAMHSA offers resources and information about mental health in their section on “What is Mental Health?
• In the Other Resources section of The Source for Survivors website, we also link to the following databases to connect with trained therapists in local communities across the United States:
  • Counselor Find (Hosted by the National Board for Certified Counselors)
  • Therapist Locator (Hosted by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy)
  • The Therapy Directory (Hosted by Psychology Today)

Exploring the extensive list above may seem overwhelming at first, but remember, you don't need to absorb everything at once. Take it one step at a time. Consider starting with just one resource that resonates with you or addresses a specific question you have. Each piece of information you gather, no matter how small, contributes to your understanding and ability to support survivors on their long-term abuse recovery journey.

If you've found certain resources particularly valuable, don't hesitate to share them with others who might benefit. Continuous learning is a key aspect of supporting survivors effectively. If you run into challenges or concerns with any of the resources listed above, feel free to reach out through our contact channels. Together, we can build a community of informed and compassionate supporters. Remember, an ongoing commitment to learning makes a meaningful impact on the support you offer to survivors.