People with physical impairments who also have mental health support needs have tended to be overlooked by both policy-makers and those commissioning services. The majority of respondents said they had difficulty accessing mental health services because of their physical impairments. The majority also had difficulty using physical disability services because of inadequate recognition of mental health needs and negative attitudes amongst staff towards mental health issues. In-patient experiences were often characterised by inaccessible physical environments and a lack of assistance for even simple things. There was a lack of understanding of the assistance that people needed, and staff were often too busy to provide it. Medication required for a physical condition was commonly withdrawn on admission to a psychiatric ward and was not always available when needed. This caused considerable distress, particularly when the medication was required for the control of pain. Community mental health services were appreciated when needs relating to physical impairment as well as mental health were addressed. However, this was unusual. Staff were often unfamiliar with needs relating to physical impairment and this could be associated with unhelpful attitudes. There was commonly poor or no communication between mental health and physical disability services. Many respondents found that services accessed because of physical impairment ignored mental health issues; some staff had negative reactions to such needs. Medication given for mental health needs often had an impact on physical impairment, but most people said they had not been warned about these potential effects. 'Talking treatments' received the highest rating of any service, but it was often difficult to find an accessible and, within the private sector, affordable therapist or counsellor. When people were asked what they wanted from mental health and physical disability services, they said they wanted to be seen as "a whole person", with attention paid to both mental health needs and those relating to physical impairment. They wanted services and professionals to communicate and work together, and easy access to flexible services which could address individual needs. Above all, they wanted to be listened to and treated with respect.
People with physical impairments who also have mental health support needs have tended to be overlooked by both policy-makers and those commissioning services. The majority of respondents said they had difficulty accessing mental health services because of their physical impairments. The majority also had difficulty using physical disability services because of inadequate recognition of mental health needs and negative attitudes amongst staff towards mental health issues. In-patient experiences were often characterised by inaccessible physical environments and a lack of assistance for even simple things. There was a lack of understanding of the assistance that people needed, and staff were often too busy to provide it. Medication required for a physical condition was commonly withdrawn on admission to a psychiatric ward and was not always available when needed. This caused considerable distress, particularly when the medication was required for the control of pain. Community mental health services were appreciated when needs relating to physical impairment as well as mental health were addressed. However, this was unusual. Staff were often unfamiliar with needs relating to physical impairment and this could be associated with unhelpful attitudes. There was commonly poor or no communication between mental health and physical disability services. Many respondents found that services accessed because of physical impairment ignored mental health issues; some staff had negative reactions to such needs. Medication given for mental health needs often had an impact on physical impairment, but most people said they had not been warned about these potential effects. 'Talking treatments' received the highest rating of any service, but it was often difficult to find an accessible and, within the private sector, affordable therapist or counsellor. When people were asked what they wanted from mental health and physical disability services, they said they wanted to be seen as "a whole person", with attention paid to both mental health needs and those relating to physical impairment. They wanted services and professionals to communicate and work together, and easy access to flexible services which could address individual needs. Above all, they wanted to be listened to and treated with respect.
Subject terms:
medication, mental health problems, mental health services, multiple disabilities, physical disabilities, unmet need, access to services, acute psychiatric care, commissioning, communication, counselling;
Recent legislation and guidance across education, health, leisure and social services strengthens the expectation that professionals will consult with children and young people about decisions that affect them, including disabled children and young people. The 'Ask Us' project (led by The Children's Society) used a multi-media approach to involve disabled children and young people in influencing policy development on Quality Protects. 'Two Way Street' (led by Triangle and NSPCC) produced a training video for practitioners to build confidence and skills in communicating with disabled children who do not use speech or language.
Recent legislation and guidance across education, health, leisure and social services strengthens the expectation that professionals will consult with children and young people about decisions that affect them, including disabled children and young people. The 'Ask Us' project (led by The Children's Society) used a multi-media approach to involve disabled children and young people in influencing policy development on Quality Protects. 'Two Way Street' (led by Triangle and NSPCC) produced a training video for practitioners to build confidence and skills in communicating with disabled children who do not use speech or language.
Subject terms:
human rights, physical disabilities, policy formulation, training, user participation, user views, young people, change management, children, childrens rights, communication, empowerment, government policy;