Worried about an adult?

What do we mean by abuse or harm?

• Financial Abuse – money, welfare benefits, belongings or property being withheld or stolen by another person
• Physical abuse – hitting, pushing, slapping, misuse of medication or locking someone in a room
• Emotional abuse – shouting, swearing, bullying, teasing or humiliating someone and threats
• Neglect – ignoring medical or physical care needs
• Sexual Abuse – being made to do things of a sexual nature against someone’s will.
• Discrimination – comments or jokes about a person’s disability, age, race or sexual orientation
• Self Neglect – poor personal hygiene, non engagement with services, not attending medical appointment/refusal to take medication, hoarding

Abuse or neglect can also happen:

• Within care settings, hospitals or care homes
• Because of modern slavery which includes being forced to work long hours for little or no pay or people being trafficked.

Find the definitions of abuse taken from the Care Act 2014, Care and Support Statutory Guidance.

The adult safeguarding duties under the Care Act 2014 apply to all people with care and support needs including adults who have mental health issues as they may be at risk of abuse and neglect.  It is a priority for Safeguarding Adults Boards to ensure that adults who are at risk of abuse and neglect are protected and that practitioners are skilled and trained appropriately to recognise changes in symptoms and behaviours that may indicate a deterioration in their mental health and that those people are safeguarded.

What is emotional abuse?

Emotional abuse can have a devastating impact on mental as well as physical health.  To have safer cultures, we need to prioritise wellbeing and create a culture in which people can speak out, be listened to and respected.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being.  It affects how we think, feel and act.  It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make healthy choices.  Mental illness, especially depression, increases the risk for many types of physical health problems, particularly long-lasting conditions like stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.  Similarly, the presence of chronic conditions can increase the risk for mental illness.

Where to get help in a crisis

If you need help for a mental health crisis, emergency or breakdown, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment.  It’s important to know that support is available even if services seem busy at the moment.  Find more information about where to get help in a mental health crisis on the NHS website.

Ann Craft Trust

What is Emotional Abuse?  Read more at the Ann Craft Trust’s website.

The Ann Craft Trust has a Safeguarding in Sport Toolkit for Supporting Participants with their Mental Health.

Untold Stories – Domestic Abuse, Coercive Control and Emotional Abuse.

How to Safeguard your wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ACT has provided a Factsheet about caring for your mental health.  It’s called “3 Ways to Safeguarding Your Mental Health”.

Age UK – Your Mind Matters

Being worried, low or out of sorts aren’t just part and parcel of getting older – they’re important signs that you’re not feeling as well as you should be.  Our mental health affects how we think and feel and how we cope with life’s ups and downs.  As we move through different stages of life and our circumstances change, our mental health can change too.  We’ve all faced a lot of challenges this year.  You might have found your own ways of coping but it’s also natural to feel overwhelmed by it all.  If things are starting to get on top of you, you don’t need to try to cope alone.  There is support out there which can help.  Find out more about the support available from Age UK – Your Mind Matters Guide.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Guidance for Adults

Here you will find helpful tips and links to a range of resources, including information on where to find specific support and urgent care if needed.  It’s published by Southampton City Council and you can find it on their website.

Solent Mind

Solent Mind is part of a network of over 100 Local Minds who tailor trusted mental health services to our communities.  They collaborate with Mind to make sure their pioneering campaigns, information and research makes a difference in Hampshire.  For more information about services available in Southampton, visit the Solent Mind website.

Shout

Shout can help with a range of issues including anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, relationship problems, bullying or if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Shout 85258 is a free, confidential 24/7 mental health text support service in the UK – just text “Shout” to 85258. 

The Samaritans

The Samaritans provide a free listening service, with no judgement or pressure and they will help you work through what’s on your mind.  If you need advice or specialist support for a specific issue, they have  a list of specialist organisations, including their contact details, which you might find helpful. Go to The Samaritans, who say “whatever you’re going through, call us free any time, from any phone, on 116 123”.

NHS Easy Read Guide to the Mental Health Act

The Mental Health Act is a law that tells people with a mental health disorder what their rights are and how they can be treated.  The term “mental health disorder” is used to describe people who have:

• A mental illness
• A learning disability or
• A personality disorder

Being detained (also known as “sectioned”) under the Mental Health Act is when you’re made to stay in hospital for assessment or treatment.  It’s important that you know what happens to you when you’re detained, what your rights are and where you can seek help.  The Mental Health Act Code of Practice tells everyone how to use this law and what they must do.  You can find an easy-to-read guide on the NHS website.

Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities – Information Booklet Feeling Down – Looking After My Mental Health

The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities is part of the Mental Health Foundation which is a charity aiming to make life better for people with learning disabilities. They have published an easy read, interactive guide called 'Feeling Down – Looking After My Mental Health' to help people with learning disabilities to take care of their health with the support of their family, friends and support workers. It includes tools to help people speak to their GP about their mental health, a diary to record their mood, how to get help and more. You can download the guide from The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities website.

Scope

Scope is the disability equality charity in England and Wales.   They provide practical information and emotional support when it’s most needed.  Advice and support to people with disabilities and their families is provided on the Scope website or you can ring them on 0808 800 3333. They also have advice on what to do if your mental health has been affected by Covid-19 on their Advice and Support page.

Every Mind Matters

Every Mind Matters can help you to manage and maintain your mental health as good mental health makes such a difference.  We all go through ups and downs in life and experience life changes which can affect our mental health.  Every Mind Matters gives you simple and practical advice to get a healthier mind and get more out of life – from how to deal with stress and anxiety, to boosting our mood or sleeping better.  It will help you to spot the signs of common mental health conditions, get personalised practical self-care tips and find information on further support.  You’ll also learn about what you can do to help others.  Visit the Every Mind Matters website for advice and information on how to maintain good mental health.