Michelle Schiller-Baker’s work is her life’s passion. And her 37-year journey of helping women in abusive relationships find the safety, resources and healing they need has been as much about assisting the women as it has been about helping society. As Executive Director of St. Martha’s Hall, a shelter care program for abused women and their children and an agency in the Catholic Charities of St. Louis federation, Michelle brings candor and cognizance of violent relationships to light. And once she makes one aware of the impact, it’s difficult to ignore its organic effects on society.

To understand what domestic abuse is, one regrettably need not look very far. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, nearly half of all women and men in the U.S. will experience psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. And for women, that number is even higher. Eighty-five percent of domestic violence victims are females. How can women who live in abusive relationships receive help, right here in St. Louis? Executive Director Tom Duff, MSW, LCSW and Michelle discuss what women need to look for in relationships that may be warning signs of impending abuse and how they can move forward in their lives if they do find themselves living with violence in this week’s Mental Health Matters.

If you are in an abusive relationship and need help, please call St. Martha’s Hall: 314.533.1313 (available 24/7) or www.saintmarthas.org

Or the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.7233  |  1.800.787.3224 (TTY)