The Carers Gateway
Are you looking after a person with mental illness? Caring for someone who has a condition that affects their mood, thinking and behaviour can be very difficult. If you are looking after someone with a mental illness, you need help and support too.
As with all Australians, people with intellectual disability can have mental health issues. Unfortunately there is a high prevalence of mental health disorders in people with an intellectual disability and diagnosis can be more difficult if the person has limited verbal communication. Being aware of what maybe a sign of a mental health issue and the appropriate health care response is critical for family carers and health professional.
Carers Australia’s mindfulness on demand course
This tool kit was developed to increase community inclusion for people with disability and their families.
What mental health services are available?
The Disability Gateway
The Disability Gateway has a range of national and Statewide if someone you are working with is in crisis, anxious or depressed and wants to talk with someone you can find information on The Disability Gateway.Â
The Council for Intellectual Disability
The Council for Intellectual Disability has developed fact sheets for families and health professionals. The following resources can assist health professionals in providing mental health support to people with intellectual disability.
Accessible Mental Health Services for People with an Intellectual Disability: A Guide for Providers
A guide for providers – accessible mental health services for People with an intellectual disability by the Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry offers a framework for mental health professionals to improve the accessibility and quality of mental health care for people with an ID.
It outlines:
- The nature of ID and its co-occurrence with mental disorders;
- How mental disorders may present in people with an ID;
- The principles which underpin the provision of mental health care to people with an ID;
- A series of tools for inclusive practice, including examples of best practice;
- A range of reasonable adjustments for mental health services to support the diverse needs of people with an ID; and
- the implications for each major component of the mental health system.
For information for people with disability
For information for healthcare professionals
