SRC Mental Health Week Campaign - Sarah's Story

As part of the week long national mental health campaign, SRC is keen to highlight the serious mental health difficulties faced by young people, women and men who have been raped and/or sexually assaulted. From 21-26 May, SRC will be running a series of media campaigns and take part in various local events in Southampton and Winchester to help raise awareness and break the stigma around mental health.

Studies have shown that mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance/alcohol misuse are experienced at more severe levels in rape/abuse victims than in non-victims. Women who have been raped are 13 times more likely than non-crime victims to have attempted suicide, and they are 26 times more likely to have significant substance misuse problems. The figures are equally alarming for men. Males who have been sexually assaulted, for example, are three times more likely to see a psychiatrist and 4-5 times more likely to harm themselves.

Sarah received counselling from SRC years after experiencing sexual abuse. As a child she grew up in a home with an emotionally absent mother and a highly abusive father. Her father was emotionally and physically abusive towards her resulting in her suffering rape as a teenager.

“Self-hatred was my own worst enemy.”  The psychological pain from this level of abuse led Sarah to experience bulimia, anorexia, depression and self-harm.

Our experience has shown that counselling is an effective way to help mitigate the mental health difficulties experienced by our clients. Last year, 64% of our clients were diagnosed with mental health and received regular contact with their GP. Following face to face counselling, 76% of them were able to stop or reduce contact, 60% showed an improvement in levels of depression, and 53% reduced or discontinued prescribed medication.

After attending a few counselling sessions Sarah was able to start looking forward to her future and not backwards at her abuse. By the time she had completed her counselling Sarah was bulimia and anorexia free for the first time in 20 years. She has returned to her job, moved to her own flat and is now able to live out of fear independently. “There are many contributing factors that have helped me and I don’t doubt the progress I have made, I am in a much better place than I would’ve been if this service didn’t exist.”

During Mental Health Week SRC promoted a strong media campaign supported by stall events at Solent University, Southampton University and Winchester University in collaboration with Heads-Up creator Abby Crowe from Solent Mind. SRC will also be taking part in the Community Event Day hosted by Hampshire Police to attract multi-cultural communities to learn more about the services available to them in the City. We are very excited and keen to raise awareness about our work amongst diverse communities. The Community Event Day will be particularly poignant with SRC volunteers providing information and advice about SRC and mental health in English, Polish and Urdu.  

Katie loates

Business development co-ordinator

Meet SRC at the Community Event Day at Guildhall Square on the 26th May