Learning Disability and Mental Illness

Learning Disability and Mental IllnessThis course aims to dispel some of the key myths and misunderstandings surrounding the mental health issues of learning disabled adults and will explore ways of identifying psychiatric symptoms even where service users are unable to communicate verbally or describe their emotions in a way that most of us would take for granted.

The course will also look at how support staff and care workers can secure assessment and interventions for their clients and work successfully alongside mental health professionals and primary care staff to ensure that Learning Disabled people enjoy the same identification and relief from symptoms as any other adult.

 

It is a common misconception that Learning Disabled adults do not suffer from mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia or Depression. Nothing could be further from the truth. People with intellectual disabilities experience mental disorder at a disproportionately high rate, but with difficulties in communicating and articulating how they feel, the mental health needs of this group are often missed by support staff and mental health professionals.

Shorter Courses

This 1-day course is also available as a shortened 3 hour workshop with consecutive AM and PM sessions for separate delegate groups. This version will have reduced Learning Objectives and more intensive input. Please contact us for further details.

 

Download the Course Information Pack here

Read Connor Kinsella's Guardian-featured blog on Winterbourne View here

Guardian Online: 'A Longer View of Winterbourne View'

Learning Objectives

Discuss how a learning disabled service user may be affected by mental health problems and how health care services should respond

 

Outline ways of identifying mental health problems in adults who may not be able to articulate or communicate how they feel

 

Recognise and use a 'toolkit' of practical tips which can be easily used to help service users with actual or potential mental health issues

 

This course is suitable for:

Mental Health Professionals

 

Residential Care Workers

 

Supported Housing Workers

 

Prison Workers