Women’s Mental Health: Violence Against Women

Time: 8:30 AM – 4:15 PM

Women’s Mental Health: Violence Against Women

Women of any age, anywhere, and of any social, cultural or economic background may be victims of violence. And a woman’s experience of violence, whether it is recent and ongoing or something that happened in her past, can have an intense impact on her mentally as well as physically. This is why it is essential for all healthcare providers to recognize the impacts of violence – be it physical, sexual or emotional abuse – and understand how to provide the best possible care to women within that context.

This year, Women in Mind, The Royal’s Conference on Women’s Mental Health, will explore the dynamics of violence against women. We will look at how experiences of violence impact mental health and addictions and explore trauma-informed approaches to treatment, including how to approach conversations about violence as part of caring for your patients. We will also examine violence against women from the perspective of perpetrators of violence and how they can be assessed and treated with an aim to improving safety and support for victims and their families. We have invited community based service providers to be part of the conversation. You will leave the conference with a toolkit of support for the women in your care.

Target Audience

Physicians, Health Professionals and Students

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the impact that experiences of violence have on physical health and mental health in women;
• Comprehend the importance of a traumainformed approach to care for women with mental health and/or addiction issues;
• Identify effective adjunct community-based service providers and learn how to refer patients.