Author
FOUNDATION FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
Title
Making us count: identifying and improving mental health support for young people with learning disabilities: a research report.
Publisher
Mental Health Foundation, 2005
Summary
This report has been written with care managers, senior service managers, commissioners of services and interested practitioners in mind. It aims to explore the issues of mental health needs as understood by young people themselves and their family carers, to present their views about the gaps in services, what they find helpful and what kinds of support they would like to be available, and highlight some new and exciting approaches to addressing the mental health needs of young people with learning disabilities and to recommend ways in which services and support can be improved for both young people with learning disabilities and their family carers.
Context
Approximately one-third of a million young people in the UK have learning disabilities. Of these, 40% are likely to develop a mental health problem. In 2001 the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities convened an enquiry to explore a very neglected area: the mental health needs of young people with learning disabilities. The result was the Count Us In report (2002). The range of mental health problems experienced by such people is similar to the general population. However, they are far more likely to develop emotional difficulties such as depression and anxiety and these often go unrecognised and untreated. There are difficulties in accessing suitable college or work placements and leisure opportunities and maintaining friendships or relationships and these often triggered mental health problems. Young people also encountered difficulties in getting appropriate services. Pathways to referral for help and support were vague. There were often long time delays to access assessment and interventions; young people were shunted between mainstream and specialist services or did not ‘fit in' anywhere.
Contents
The present report offers some practical advice that practitioners and commissioners can take on board to improve the range of services available. A preface gives the background and is followed by an executive summary and an easy to read summary. Chapters then discuss involving young people and their families in research; towards better support; how young people with learning disabilities and their family carers understand anxiety and depression; supporting young people with learning disabilities and mental health needs from a minority ethnic community; improving emotional support for young people with learning disabilities; and the well-being project: identifying and meeting the needs of young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their carers. Conclusions and recommendations are followed by appendices describing a mapping exercise, policy in Scotland , and randomised controlled trials.
Conclusion
The conclusion that one in four young people with learning disabilities will experience mental health problems each year may even be an underestimate, so it is essential there is a range of approaches and services to respond. Opportunities for friendships, social and leisure activities, education and employment enhance self-esteem. They should be at the centre of planning. Language can be a difficulty. Problems are not recognised. Parents do not want children given another label. Recommendations are made on mental health education and promotion, person-centred approaches and transition, and identifying mental health problems and providing appropriate support.
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