Emotional Wellness Month

Posted on: 18th, October 2024

October is Emotional Wellness Month, a time to reflect, raise awareness and remove the stigma around discussions of mental health.

Emotional wellbeing has powerful effects on a person’s overall health. Stress can lead to effects such as lack of sleep, high blood pressure and even a weakened immune system. This is why it’s incredibly important to look after your mental health just as you would look after your physical health.

Being involved in a crime can have a negative impact on a person’s emotional wellbeing and mental health. Restorative Justice offers victims the opportunity to be heard, ask questions of the offender and have their say in the resolution of the harm caused. It also offers the chance for offenders to apologise, explain and make amends where possible. This can help both parties achieve closure and move on from the incident, reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD.

Nick, a victim of assault who experienced low mood, fear and anxiety following the incident, decided to take part in Restorative Justice. After speaking to trained practitioners he said, “being able to talk to you about this and be heard with no judgement was really therapeutic for me. I’ve felt better about it since.”

For offenders, Restorative Justice can help them come to terms with their behaviour, explain what was going on in their life at the time of the incident and give them the opportunity to apologise to the victim and the motivation to change their behaviour.

If your emotional wellbeing is suffering following the events of a crime and you think Restorative Justice could help, be sure to get in touch.

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Case Studies

A Racially Aggravated Public Order Offence

An Asian shopkeeper was verbally abused by the offender. This was a Police referral and the Restorative Justice c...

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Addressing Violence Within a Family

K contacted the Kent and Medway Restorative Justice Service following a serious violent episode carried out on her and her husband (P) by their ado...

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Assault At A Music Festival

Elizabeth was at her first music festival when she was attacked by a total stranger. She suffered bruising to her face and was badly shaken up. The...

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Assault Case

Kev received a conditional caution after he assaulted a stranger on a night out. As part of the conditional caution, he was required to have a disc...

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Conditional Cautions and Restorative Justice

One evening in December 2023, Brad was driving along a motorway when a car indicated to join the carriageway from a slip road, causing him to swerv...

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Fatal Collision: Sister Meets Driver Who Killed Her Brother

Many people would keep the deceased’s family and offender apart, leaving questions unanswered, shame unexplored, and bitterness to cause stress a...

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Lucy's Story

Lucy took part in Restorative Justice seven years after her ex-partner violently attacked her, and bravely shared her story with why-me.org...

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Using a Restorative Approach to Address Conflict in the Home

The referral was received from one of the Early Help practitioners at Kent County Council. The son was displaying an increasing level of verbal and...

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What People Say About Restorative Justice

The facilitators have been wonderful. I feel stronger than I did. I would really recommend Restorative Justice.

Mrs Wilson

I actually appreciated how quick the process happened.

Mr Atkinson, victim.

It was an opportunity to help the offender reform.

Mr Bird, victim.

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