Learning Disability

Learning Disability and Mental Health

Read on for information about learning disabilities and mental health, as well as how to access professional services.

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Learning Disability and Mental Health
What is a Learning Disability?

What is a Learning Disability?

A learning disability affects the way a person understands new or complex information, learns new skills, and/or copes with everyday activities (e.g. socialising or managing finances). This impacts how the person lives their life and the degree of independence they are able to cope with.

Having a learning disability can be perceived and experienced in very different ways. Learning disabilities can be defined as mild, moderate, severe, or profound, however these definitions are not exclusive and how they are experienced can vary greatly. Many people with a learning disability experience other conditions as well, such as Down’s Syndrome, Autism, and Cerebral Palsy.

Learning Disability in the UK

Around 1.5. million of us have a learning disability in the UK, and it is thought that up to 350,000 of us have a severe learning disability. Everyone with a learning disability is an individual person in their own right with their own individual strengths and areas of need.

Some people can live relatively independently within minimal support, while others will need more support in order to manage their lives in a way that is best for them. 

It is important that people who have a learning disability, or those who are caring for someone with a learning disability, are able to access the right support for them. If those of us who are affected by learning disability do not have the support we need, this can have a significant impact on our mental wellbeing.

Having a learning disability, or caring for someone else, can be isolating at times, especially if full-time care is required. If you, or someone you care for, are struggling with feelings such as low mood, anxiety, or loneliness, you can find further advice and support on our Feelings page

Learning Disability in the UK

How can having a learning disability affect my mental health?

Read more about how mental health and learning disability can be experienced, and what can be done to improve wellbeing, as well as where to find further support.

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How can having a learning disability affect my mental health?
Learning Disability and Mental Health

Learning Disability and Mental Health

A learning disability is not a mental health condition, however some of us may experience mental health difficulties alongside a learning disability. Sometimes it can be difficult for a person with a learning disability to get a mental health diagnosis, as sometimes people can assume that the person’s mental health symptoms are part of their learning disability instead of being separate things.

People with learning disabilities can suffer with worse physical and mental health compared to those without learning disabilities, and are more vulnerable to being abused or neglected. This can be detrimental to a person’s mental wellbeing, so it is important that support and care for people living with learning disabilities is accessible and widespread.  

Caring for someone with a learning disability can be difficult, and it’s important that carers also have access to suitable support. If you are a carer and would like further advice and information about services that can help, click here.

You are not alone...

Many people in the UK with learning disabilities find it difficult to process their feelings. Watch this video with Charley, to hear more about how people with learning disabilities experience feelings of isolation, confusion and loneliness, how it can impact their day-to-day lives, and what can help overcome it.

Barriers to healthcare: What can we do?

We all deserve to have access good quality healthcare and support. Unfortunately, there are several barriers within society and how organisations are run that make it difficult for people with learning disabilities to get the care they need.

Ways to improve this can include:

  • Having accessible transport links to healthcare services
  • Easy-to-read information that is readily available (e.g. Hospital Passports and easy-to-understand guides for attending appointments)
  • More training and information for staff (e.g. medical professionals) about learning disabilities and how to recognise it
  • Increased awareness of how illnesses can present for people with a learning disability so that illnesses are detected more quickly and delays to treatment can be avoided
  • Raising awareness of how mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can affect people with a learning disability
  • Appropriate signposting to services offering mental health support for people with learning disabilities
  • More effective communication between different care providers
  • Allowing more involvement from carers of people with learning disabilities
  • Suitable aftercare or follow-up care for the person

The NHS Learning Disability Service has a range of easy-to-read resources that can be printed off and taken along to appointments, including a  COVID-19 vaccination checklist and the Hospital Passport. These provide healthcare staff with useful information about you, or the person you are caring for, and ensures they can provide the best possible care or treatment.

You can find more helpful resources here.

Barriers to healthcare: What can we do?

Further support and advice

There are a number of resources and programmes in place that can help those of us who have, or care for someone else, with a learning disability find the right care and support.

Adults (and children aged 14+) with a learning disability are entitled to an annual health check with their GP. This can help us to stay well, and detect any issues early so that we receive the right treatment. If you or the person you care for is nervous about seeing a doctor, click here for tips and advice for how to prepare for the appointment. You can also speak to a GP about being supported by a Learning Disability Liaison Nurse if you are going into hospital for any reason.

Easy Health offers free health information with easy-to-understand words, pictures, and films. You can sign up for free to access these resources, including Hospital Passports, and they can really help to ensure people with learning disabilities get the care they need. You can find more information on the Easy Health website.

Brighton & Hove Speak Out focuses on ensuring people with learning disabilities have a platform to speak up about things they care about. This service offers 1-1 advocacy and opportunities to connect with other people with learning disabilities in Brighton & Hove.

There are also a number of helpful guides for healthcare professionals, including tips and information for supporting and meeting the needs of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). These can be found on the Mencap website.

Get Help

Get Help

If you or someone close to you has a learning disability and this is affecting your mental health, it’s OK to ask for help. You can find services in your local area here or find more information and advice on the Mencap website.

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