Mental Health

When someone is living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, having access to the right information about a condition, treatment options or practical issues is vital.

Victims suffering from mental health problems

Mental health problems vary from one person to the next. Victims may be experiencing:

• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Depression
• Paranoia
• Anger
• Loneliness

When someone experiences crime it can often affect a person's mental health. It could be that the person was already suffering from a mental health problem or it could trigger a mental health problem for someone who has never experienced problems in the past.

For victims suffering from a mental health problem, emotional and practical support is available to help them cope and recover from the effects of crime.

How can a victim support themselves?

Living with a mental health problem can affect a victims day to day life. Below are some tips to help people cope with everyday things:

• Engage in physical exercise - such as going for a walk every day or attending an exercise class
• Consider joining a class or group to help ease loneliness. Volunteering is also a good way of meeting people and helping others
• Eat a healthy well balanced diet
• Take a break, read a book, watch a film or enjoy a bath
• Relaxation techniques - picture yourself somewhere serene or focus on your breathing
• Listen to music that you find soothing

What support is available?

The Victim and Witness Hub have a team of dedicated Victim and Witness Care Coordinators who are there to listen and help victims access the right support at the right time.

The Victim and Witness Hub is supported by a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) through the Victim Pathfinder Service. The CPN is collocated within the Victim and Witness Hub and provides support to both victims and the Victim and Witness Care Coordinators to ensure that victims who may be suffering from mental health difficulties are best supported.

The CPN is available to support and signpost to other services who can ensure that the victim is best supported.