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.

Talk to our Restorative Justice service team in confidence

Email Us

Or call us on 0800 783 1550

Case Studies

A burglary case in West Yorkshire

John burgled Lucy’s home when she was outside hanging out her washing. When she came inside, she found him standing in her property. She describe...

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A Domestic Argument

Ann and her son, Nicky, had been enjoying an evening in together.  As the evening progressed, an argument started, which then escalated. ...

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A Non-Recent Child Sexual Abuse Case

A complaint of historical sexual abuse was reported to the police by two sisters who accused their stepfather of sexually touching them when they w...

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A Serious Assault Case

Caroline’s world was turned upside down when Simon, her partner, was punched in the face and knocked to the ground as he walked home from a night...

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A Sexual Abuse Case

The Restorative Justice service received a referral from Sarah, via her Victim Liaison Officer. The offences, which were of a sexual nature, were c...

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A Street Robbery

Daniel contacted the Restorative Justice team after he committed a street robbery on Carl. “The p...

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A Traffic Offence Case

Anne, 65, contacted the service, as she was interested in Restorative Justice. Her husband, Brian, 63, had been killed in a traffic collision 18 mo...

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Assault on a Police Officer in West Yorkshire

Coleen was a West Yorkshire Police Officer who was called to a report of sexual assault. Upon arrival at the address, there were a lot of people, m...

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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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Death By Dangerous Driving

The Restorative Justice service received an enquiry from a Victim Liaison Officer from the National Probation Service detailing that there w...

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Death by Dangerous Driving: Tara & Oliver

Tara was referred to the Restorative Justice team in West Yorkshire. Her brother, Thomas, had been killed three years previously by Oliver, who had...

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Hate Crime Awareness Course

Amiya was allocated as the Case Manager for Warren. Warren had a history of racial and religiously aggravated harassment towards a variety of peopl...

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Lydia's Story: Sexual Assault

Lydia was referred to the Restorative Justice service by her Victim Liaison Officer. She was the victim of a prolonged sexual assault at her home 1...

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Street Robbery

Ellis was a long term substance user, who was encouraged by an acquaintance – Mikel - to grab the handbag of a woman they saw in passing.  A...

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Street Robbery

Jemma was referred to Restorative Solutions by Victim Services in July 2019.  She had been the victim of a robbery.  The offender – Ale...

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Using a Restorative Approach to Address Conflict in the Home

A son was displaying an increasing level of verbal and physical abuse within the home. Mum has reached the point that she was scared that she could...

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What People Say About Restorative Justice

The restorative justice process has made me really think about the consequences of my actions.

John, offender

Restorative Justice has really helped. It has given me closure, and I feel much more positive.

Lucy, burglary victim

Now we can get on with our lives without the burden of what happened grinding us down.

Abuse victim

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