Realistically, there is no difference between the two.  Any abuse is also mental abuse, because abuse is a form of control.

Verbal abuse is when someone puts you down with words etc.  This has a big impact on the mental state of a person, so it is a form of mental abuse too.

Even emotional, physical, sexual and financial abuse are considered to be forms of mental abuse, because they cause harm to the mental state of the person who is being abused.

If you would like some more info, I can try to help.  No expert in the area, but have learned a lot about abuse (first hand and from observation) over the years.

i suffered both of these when i was in school.

verbal abuse is mainly name calling, verbal threats, stuff like that.  its bad but mainly just taunts and name calling.

mentel abuse is where the taunting gets that bad that you start to believe them. eg someone threatings to shoot you and you hear a car back fire you panic.

its where you believe the taunts that you are worthless. where they get into you mind and it plays with you.

hope this has helped you understand the difference

My understanding is that "Verbal Abuse" is threatening some form of agression and often leads to violence in time.

"Mental" or psychological abuse is directed quietly at the victims self worth.

Both are equally, devastating and and insidious.

Luv Winnie.xxxx

yes there is a difference. will write more tomorrow on it

I would think that verbal abuse would be outward-directed aggression -- name calling, yelling, berating, etc. And mental abuse can be comparatively very quiet. A woman I know stayed with her husband (a shrink) for years because he told her he could have her declared unfit to parent, and thus would deny her access to their 4 kids.

You know, I guess I've always thought mental/emotional abuse was doing things like keeping you from your friends, controlling the money, alienating you from your  family, isolating you, being manipulative, comparing you to past lovers,  things like that.  Verbal abuse would be telling someone they aren't good enough, calling bad names, berating, etc.  That's always how I've made the distinction.  Hope this helps!