What is known on the subject?• Mental health clients experience higher estimated rates of domestic violence, yet mental health services are less likely to screen for domestic violence.
What the paper adds to existing knowledge?• This paper qualitatively explores the perspectives and experiences of mental health practitioners in inpatient and community teams in a publicly funded hospital and health service (i.e. public mental health service).• Mental health practitioners described a lack of domestic violence training, as well as a lack of knowledge of domestic violence and support mechanisms for victims, when domestic violence is disclosed by clients.• The paper highlights the unique difficulties and barriers experienced by clinicians in screening for domestic violence while also dealing with clients suffering a mental health crisis.
What are the implications for practice?• The paper sheds more light on the issue of domestic violence in mental health in terms of screening, and identifies avenues for improvement in mental health services; particularly the need for staff training and education.