Mental health support for domestic abuse hub

Mental health professionals are being brought into frontline domestic abuse services in a pilot scheme.

The one-year scheme in West Kent was developed after it was identified that some victims of domestic abuse faced barriers accessing mainstream services.

It will place members of the Kent & Medway Mental Health NHS Trust's Mental Health Together workforce within an established domestic abuse drop-in hub.

Andy Platt, joint programme officer at the trust, said that domestic abuse could have a significant impact on mental health.

"By embedding mental health support within local domestic abuse services, we are improving access and providing support much earlier," Platt said.

The pilot is run by KMHH and Maidstone Borough Council and is funded by the West Kent Health and Care Partnership.

The organisations said that cultural factors, fear, stigma and previous experiences can prevent people from seeking help.

Mental health specialists have been placed within an established domestic abuse drop-in hub at Trinity House in Maidstone town centre.

The drop-in runs every Tuesday from 09:30 BST to 11:30 and brings together a range of statutory and voluntary sector partners in one location.

Platt said that people attending the service could self-refer and said that the team would also visit domestic abuse safe houses in Maidstone to ensure residents can access support for their mental health when they need it.

Emily Musara, Kent & Medway Mental Health NHS Trust general manager, said: "This pilot allows us to take mental health support out of traditional clinical settings and into trusted community spaces.

"By working alongside domestic abuse services, we can respond earlier, build trust and ensure people receive support in a way that feels safe and accessible."

Elisa Page, domestic abuse and safeguarding coordinator at Maidstone Borough Council, said that the pilot would strengthen the support within domestic abuse services.

"By bringing mental health expertise directly into the space where people already seek support," she said.

"It means we can respond earlier, reduce barriers and ensure people receive more coordinated and timely support."

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