To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the relationship between women’s mental health and experience of violence and abuse.

The Department recognises the potential effect that experiences of violence and abuse can have on mental health.

I co-chaired the Women’s Mental Health Taskforce which brought together experts on women’s mental health and key national organisations accountable for policy, commissioning and delivery of services. The Taskforce explored the links between mental health and abuse for women.

A key priority for the Taskforce was the promotion of trauma-informed, and gender-informed, approaches to service delivery, including for people with mental health issues who have been affected by violence and abuse. The Taskforce has completed its work and will publish its final report soon.