Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour designed to dominate, isolate, and entrap another person through psychological, emotional, financial, and social means. In the UK, coercive control is recognised as a criminal offence because of the profound and long-lasting harm it causes. Yet its impact on mental health and suicide risk is still widely misunderstood or under-recognised.
This article explains what coercive control is, how it affects mental wellbeing, the evidence linking it to suicide risk, why it is often missed in risk assessments, and how professionals and support systems can respond effectively.
What Is Coercive Control?
Coercive control is a strategic form of abuse that focuses on long-term domination rather than isolated incidents of physical violence. It can take many forms none of which need involve physical injury and includes:
- Restricting access to money or independent resources
- Monitoring communications and movements
- Isolating someone from friends and family
- Threats or intimidation
- Humiliation, ridicule, or verbal degradation
- Control over daily life decisions
Coercive control is often cyclical, escalating over time, and can be difficult for victims and professionals to identify because the behaviours may appear subtle or normalised.
How Coercive Control Affects Mental Health
Coercive control undermines a person’s sense of self, safety, and autonomy. These psychological impacts can accumulate and lead to persistent mental health difficulties.
Loss of Autonomy and Self-Identity
People subjected to coercive control often experience:
- Chronic self-doubt
- Reduced confidence
- A sense of helplessness
- Internalised blame
Over time, the victim’s independence is eroded, leaving them reliant on the abuser for decisions, validation, and access to support.
Chronic Stress and Hypervigilance
Living under coercive control can lead to:
- Constant anxiety and fear
- Sleep disruption
- Persistent stress responses
- Heightened alertness to potential threats
These are recognised contributors to long-term psychological distress.
Isolation and Social Disconnection
Abusive partners often cut off victims from:
- Friends and family
- Work or education
- Community connections
This social isolation increases feelings of loneliness, which is strongly linked to depression and suicidal ideation.
Coercive Control and Suicide Risk
The links between coercive control and suicide are supported by research and survivor accounts. The impact is multifaceted.
Entrapment and Hopelessness
Victims commonly describe:
- Feeling trapped with no perceived escape
- Belief that leaving would make the abuse worse
- Loss of hope for a safe future
These perceptions are strong predictors of suicidal thinking.
Cumulative Psychological Harm
Unlike a single traumatic event, coercive control:
- Repeatedly reinforces fear
- Breaks down resistance to negative beliefs
- Increases vulnerability to depression and anxiety
Over time, this psychological load can increase the intensity and frequency of suicidal ideation.
Timing of Risk
Suicide risk is not static. Evidence and practitioner experience show that it can:
- Increase during the relationship
- Escalate at moments of confrontation or separation
- Persist long after the abuse ends
This dynamic risk pattern makes early recognition and ongoing support essential.
Why Coercive Control Is Often Missed in Suicide Risk Assessment
Despite its serious impact, coercive control is frequently overlooked in both mental health and safeguarding assessments.
Lack of Visible Injury
When physical violence is absent, professionals may:
- Underestimate the severity of the abuse
- Focus on symptoms without exploring causes
- Miss the controlling behaviours hidden within everyday interactions
This bias towards physical markers leaves coercive control under-identified.
Separation of Systems
Many risk assessments occur in isolated systems:
- Mental health teams focus on diagnosis and symptoms
- Safeguarding teams address immediate physical risk
- Police may record incidents without systemic context
Without shared frameworks, information about coercive control may not inform suicide risk planning.
Limited Training
Not all professionals receive training to recognise the patterns and indicators of coercive control, including:
- Subtle behavioural cues
- Changes in social, financial, or emotional function
- Non-physical manipulation
This training gap reduces identification and intervention opportunities.
Evidence Linking Coercive Control to Mental Health and Suicide
Academic and sector research consistently demonstrates that coercive control is significantly associated with poor mental health and increased suicide risk.
Research Findings
Studies indicate:
- Psychological abuse (including coercive control) is associated with higher levels of suicidal ideation than physical abuse alone
- People with histories of coercive control are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and PTSD
- Feelings of entrapment and loss of agency are strong predictors of suicide risk
UK-Specific Context
UK domestic abuse services, advocacy agencies, and researchers report:
- High prevalence of non-physical abuse in cases of self-harm and suicide attempts
- Coroner reviews where coercive control was present but not recorded
- Under-recognition in suicide statistics due to classification challenges
These findings underscore the need for improved recording, reporting, and preventive responses.
What Professionals Can Do to Improve Identification
Identifying coercive control requires active enquiry, a trauma-informed approach, and integrated practice.
Routine Enquiry About Abuse
Professionals should:
- Ask about patterns of control and fear, not just physical harm
- Include questions about isolation and monitoring
- Review relational contexts in mental health assessments
Trauma-Informed Practice
A trauma-informed approach emphasises:
- Safety
- Trust
- Choice
- Collaboration
- Empowerment
This approach helps victims disclose difficult experiences in a supportive setting.
Integrated Information Sharing
Mental health, safeguarding, and justice systems should:
- Share records where appropriate
- Recognise patterns across services
- Coordinate risk assessment plans
This reduces gaps that can obscure coercive control indicators.
Supporting Someone Affected by Coercive Control
If you know someone affected by coercive control and suicidal thoughts:
- Listen without judgment
- Encourage professional support
- Help them identify safe options
- Respect confidentiality and safety planning
Professional support services can help with risk assessment, crisis planning, and long-term recovery.
Resources and Where to Get Help in the UK
If you or someone you know is experiencing coercive control or suicidal thoughts, support is available:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24/7): 0808 2000 247
- Samaritans (24/7): 116 123
- GPs and mental health professionals
- Local safeguarding teams
- Emergency services if there is immediate danger
Support is available and can make a significant difference.
This risk is explored further in our main overview:
Prevalence of Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control Related Suicide in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is coercive control?
Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour used to dominate and entrap someone through isolation, intimidation, monitoring, threats, humiliation, and control over everyday life, including finances and social contact.
How does coercive control affect mental health?
Coercive control can lead to chronic fear, anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, loss of identity, and reduced confidence. Over time, victims may feel trapped and unable to see safe options for escape.
Is coercive control linked to suicidal thoughts?
Yes. Coercive control is associated with suicidal ideation due to sustained psychological harm, isolation, hopelessness, and the feeling that there is no safe way out.
Why is coercive control often missed by professionals?
It is often missed because it may not involve visible injuries, victims may minimise or normalise behaviours, and systems sometimes focus on isolated incidents rather than patterns of control and entrapment.
How can services reduce suicide risk linked to coercive control?
Services can reduce risk by recognising coercive control early, using trauma-informed enquiry, linking mental health support with safeguarding responses, and taking disclosures seriously even without physical violence.