As May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, we turn our attention to a critical but often overlooked connection between domestic violence and mental health—especially for children and teens.
“Mental health is deeply impacted by experiences of domestic violence and sexual assault, as these forms of trauma can significantly disrupt a person’s sense of safety, identity, and control,” says Leslie Rodriguez, Director of Clinical Services, Empower Yolo. For children exposed to violence in the home, the effects can be especially severe, creating additional barriers and increasing the likelihood of long-term mental health challenges.
National data supports the urgency. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), more than 1 in 7 U.S. youth ages 6-17 (16.5%) experience a mental health disorder, yet only about half receive treatment. For young survivors of abuse, the barriers to care—and the consequences of going without it—are even greater.
Survivors often struggle with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and difficulties with trust and relationships. The psychological impact may include persistent fear, intrusive memories, emotional numbness, shame, and self-blame, all of which can interfere with daily functioning and overall well-being. In many cases, trauma affects how individuals perceive themselves and others, sometimes leading to isolation or difficulty forming healthy relationships.
For children, the impact can be even more profound. “Growing up in an environment filled with fear, tension, or unpredictability can disrupt a child’s sense of safety and stability, which are essential for healthy development,” Rodriguez explains. “Many experience chronic stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating. Childhood exposure to domestic violence can also increase the risk of long-term mental health challenges and difficulties in adult relationships.”
Despite these challenges, support and intervention can make a meaningful difference. In 2025, Empower Yolo provided safe shelter to 211 survivors of abuse—103 of them children—for a total of 8,512 bed nights at the county’s only family shelter. Additionally, 268 survivors of sexual assault—133 of them children—received advocacy, accompaniment, and support through the Sexual Assault Response Team.
Access to trauma-informed care is central to this support. Empower Yolo offers short-term therapy for adult and child survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking, available in person or via telehealth in English and Spanish. These services provide a safe space to process trauma, build coping skills, and strengthen self-worth. Virtual support groups further reduce isolation, allowing survivors to share experiences and better understand and prevent abusive relationships.
“Taking care of mental health is important because it affects how a person thinks, feels, and handles everyday life. Neglecting mental health can lead to issues such as anxiety, depression, burnout, and difficulty functioning at school, work, or home. When mental health is supported, it’s easier to concentrate, make decisions, manage emotions, and maintain healthy relationships,” says Rodriguez.
Even as the demand for services grows, resources have become more constrained. Federal cuts in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding have significantly impacted local services. In 2025 alone, Empower Yolo still delivered 7,458 sessions of counseling, therapy, and support groups to 1,639 clients—210 of them children.
“Therapy doesn’t erase traumatic experiences, but it can improve recovery outcomes and help survivors regain a sense of control and well-being,” Rodriguez emphasizes. Whereas survivors who don’t seek additional support may struggle with unresolved trauma and experience ongoing emotional distress, difficulty with relationships, and chronic stress responses.”
Healing also depends on a child’s environment. “We have observed that children make significant progress when they have a parent who is attentive to their emotional needs and has a stable home environment,” Rodriguez adds. “Without that stability, emotional and behavioral challenges may persist regardless of treatment.”
Prevention plays an equally important role. Empower Yolo’s After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) program is working directly with students at Woodland and Pioneer High Schools to promote mental health awareness. This May, students will participate in weekly workshops through the Our Strength program, creating a call to action and public service announcements for mental health.
“Our intention is to create a safe space where students feel comfortable being themselves and talking to trusted adults and their peers,” says Daniela Talavera Rangel, Director of Youth Programs, Empower Yolo.
ASSETs staff will be offering help and support during the month and providing resources to youth who may be dealing with mental health struggles. Since VOCA doesn’t support prevention work, the ASSETs program is essential for providing prevention education for our teens.
“Mental health awareness is everyone’s responsibility, especially when it comes to our teens. Young people experiencing abuse or hardship often suffer in silence, unsure if what they’re feeling is valid or afraid of being judged. As a community, we have the power to change that. When we normalize conversations around mental health, we signal to teens that they are seen, supported, and never alone. For those facing abuse, community support can be the first step toward healing. Our youth are counting on us to show up for them. Not just in crisis, but every day,” emphasizes Talavera Rangel.
Community support plays a vital role in promoting mental health for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. By reducing stigma, using respectful language, and addressing barriers like cost, language, and access, communities can help make care more inclusive and accessible.
The loss of a five-year child abuse treatment grant from CalOES has had a significant impact on treatment and intervention efforts, making this work more challenging. Our grant partner, Cameron’s Place—a key community partner serving child victims of sexual abuse—experienced funding cuts for their social worker and a mental health clinician. Empower Yolo lost a full-time therapist and child advocate, leading to growing waitlists for critical treatment services.
Despite these setbacks, Empower Yolo continues working to bridge gaps in care for the most vulnerable, including children who are uninsured or unable to access or find specialty care for abuse, trauma, and victimization.
There are immediate opportunities to help. On May 7, Empower Yolo will participate in the Big Day of Giving. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Nugget Markets and the Empower Yolo Board of Directors, donations will be matched up to $45,000, directly supporting emergency shelter, counseling, advocacy, housing assistance, legal services, and youth programs. For information and to donate until May 7, visit: bigdayofgiving.org/organization/empoweryolo.
After the Big Day of Giving, join us for a community fundraiser at Supervisor Lucas Frerichs’s Party with a Purpose benefiting Empower Yolo on May 27, 6–8 p.m. at Berryessa Brewing Company in Winters. This event will bring supporters together to benefit child abuse services and prevention efforts, offering another way to contribute while strengthening local connections. To sponsor or purchase tickets, visit: empoweryolo.org.
Supporting the mental health of survivors—especially children—is not a one-time effort. It is an ongoing commitment to safety, stability, and healing. “Recovery is not linear, and outcomes vary based on support systems, prior mental health, and access to care,” says Rodriguez. “With the right therapeutic support and a safe environment, many survivors can rebuild stability, resilience, and a sense of empowerment.” Strengthening that support, collectively, moves us closer to a safer, healthier community for all.