Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Mental Health, Challenges on Providing Multi Sectoral Support – Albania Case (Published)
Domestic violence is one of the main problems of Albanian society. Açording to the latest survey of INSTAT (2018), 1 out of 2 or 52.9% of women aged 18-74 ‘ever’ experienced one or more of the five different types of violence during their lifetime. The literature shows that survivors of violence are three times more at risk of developing mental illnesses. On the other hand, those who suffer from mental health problems are more likely to be abused or even attempt suicide.The aim of the paper is to identify the challenges of social services in addressing cases of domestic violence with mental health problems in Albania. The methodology is qualitative based on available secondary data and semi-structured interviews with service providers at local level.The main conclusions of the paper are related to the lack of clear procedures for the management of cases of violence with mental health problems, difficulties in diagnosing cases, lack of specialized services, lack of trained professionals, difficulties in the long-term reintegration of cases, etc.
Keywords: Challenges, Mental Health, Situation, gender-based violence, services