You may be the first one a victim contacts for help.
You are in a position to help her access other needed services – and collaborating with domestic violence service providers can make your work more effective.
Common mental health problems – including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidality, anxiety and addictions – are often caused or exacerbated by domestic violence, and effects of abuse may resemble those of mental illness.
Abuse-related mental health symptoms often decrease when victims are helped to gain safety.
Effects of domestic violence make it harder to work on other issues.
A partner’s controlling and violent behavior can stop the client from making use of treatment or medications.
A victim who has a pre-existing or unrelated mental illness may find it harder to:

Connect with sources of support.
Get others to take seriously what she says about her partner.
Make and use safety plans.
Access services.
Find safe housing and stable employment.