Mental Health Awareness Month and a Survivor’s Journey to Recovery

The legal battles and tireless advocacy of DVP staff are rightfully celebrated as part of our client’s path away from abuse. But the longer, emotional, and less visible journey of mental health recovery is just as, if not more, essential to a self-realized life on the other side of violence.

At DVP, we’ve made key efforts to work with the most talented and driven counseling experts across the NYC non-profit space. They make up an inextricable piece of the recovery journey, one that helps clients feel more like themselves. Even more, it impacts the strength of their legal cases, enabling their families’ freedom and security.

What is Mental Health Awareness Month?

Mental Health Awareness Month takes place every May to reflect on the need for awareness, access, and funding of counseling services. This goes beyond survivors to all those struggling and seeking help in their lives.

It’s a crucial but less-discussed aspect of the survivor’s journey to recovery and self-affirmation. DVP works tirelessly to help fight and advocate for the legal and physical rights of our clients; with the assistance of community and organizational partners, we complete the mental health and counseling gaps that make our recovery approach truly holistic.

The Impact of Abuse on Mental Health

For the safety of all involved, we’ve removed any identifying details about the individuals in this case.

A recent client, the undocumented parent of four children, survived severe domestic violence soon after they arrived in the US. When they visited our office to start the process of preparing for their case, they said they just wanted to give up. They were tired, feeling heavy, anxious, and stressed. And yet, they repeated that all they wanted to do was work to help support their children, but felt there were too many obstacles. 

This survivor’s mental exhaustion, compounded from their journey to a new country, the abuse, and the fight for their children, gives an intimate picture of all-too-familiar trends. The CDC reports that many of those who endure DV develop depression and PTSD, which can spiral into further destructive behaviors like binge drinking and drug use. Intervening with counseling services is crucial to offset this and provide a safe recovery plan for survivors.

Mental Health Recovery in the Survivor Process

DVP recognized that this individual was both emotionally and financially vulnerable, but committed to assisting them in finding support for all facets of their recovery journey. In particular, improving their mental health would be key to their tangential pursuit of a U Visa to protect their legal status in the country.

We provided them with resources to assist with mental health support, directed them to one of our financial literacy workshops, and connected them with financial assistance that helped them buy shoes and clothes for their children. This huge difference-maker made it clear to the client that working together as a team would make the process significantly easier.  

The consistent mental health support and counseling provided by a partner organization proved immensely successful in preparing the U visa application. Their improved mental health helped them tell their story with more confidence. They quickly realized the purpose of the appointments to secure their and their children’s safety, with each meeting making them feel lighter and stronger. 

DVP noticed a stronger demeanor and mental clarity in the client over their arduous legal process. After some understandably emotionally-charged early appointments, the client later expressed how they and their children felt a renewed sense of safety and peace. By the final appointment, the client appeared joyous while noting how thrilled they were when they finally filed the completed U visa application.  

DVP provided her a space where she was recognized for her strength and courage. She was able to start thinking about her and her children’s future in a more positive light. At DVP, she connected to an ecosystem of support that ultimately made her feel more empowered. 

Supporting DVP in the Fight for Survivor Justice

More than ever, DVP is ready to fight for our clients, no matter what community they’re from or their immigration status. Our organization provides crucial services supported by community members like you, including:

• Legal protections for undocumented survivors of DV and IPV
• Advocacy for necessary services, housing, and support
• Guidance on immigration protocols and procedures to protect survivors from their abusers and secure safety, liberation, and better lives in the US

Click the link below to support, donate, and volunteer with DVP to help bring our mission to life. Plus, sign up for our weekly newsletter for updates on DVP’s crucial work and more ways to get involved.

Learn more about how you can support survivors and their children to live free of violence and abuse.

Ways to Support