Mental Health and Learning Disability -

ARC projects and resourcesLeeds Conference

9th Dec 2008

David Grundy

About ARC (www.arcuk.org.uk)

Member led organisation (mainly social care orgs)

Offers members a voice and representation at a national level

News and policy updates

Various training LDQ - NVQ etc

CRB/POVA

Undertakes a wide range of projects of interest to members

About ARC For example -

Handling Medication In Social Care Settings

Research project into Hospital Admission for People with a Learning Disability in Wales

Hosting National Learning Disability and Ethnicity Network (www.lden.org.uk)

Moving On Up project (www.movingonup.info)

The Candle project and the Clear Thoughts project

Mental Health in Learning Disability

Increasing national focus on positive mental health/emotional well-being (for everyone)

Both Candle and Clear Thoughts projects look at positive mental health not just mental ill health

Front line social care staff might not look for signs of mental ill health - or identify what they are seeing and mental health issues

Resources also consider related issues such as physical health, diet, exercise, sensory impairment and related conditions such as autism and epilepsy - holistic view

Mental Ill Health in Learning Disability

Having a Learning Disability is the single most significant factor identified in increasing the risks of mental ill health

Percentage of people who have a learning disability who also have mental health problems

Rutter et all 1976 - 30% Count Us In 2002 - 40%

Mental Ill Health in Learning Disability

The other common risk factors also apply to people who have a Learning Disability

Family breakdown Social isolation Poor communication Little control or choice over life

Mental Health in Learning Disability

Young people with a learning disability have a greater chance of being exposed to negative life events

65% of YP with LD grow up in poverty 52% of YP with LD have a parent carer with mental ill

health 51% of YP with LD have a parent carer with no

educational or vocational qualifications 25% of YP with LD have a parent carer with physical

health needs

60% of YP with LD have been exposed to two or more of these negative life events

(Emerson & Hatton 2007)

Interaction between LD & MH Most people with learning disabilities were not aware of

the term ‘Mental Health’ Families were suspicious of the term Mental Health and

need for a separate, additional label Young people with learning disabilities or the people

they go to for advice are not well informed about mental health and mental health services

Some people from BME communities found situation more difficult due to ‘stigma’ from community members

FPLD (Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities) 2006

Cultural Issues

Many people from BME communities have had negative experiences when accessing (all) healthcare services

Families worry about responses and attitudes of others both within and outside their community

Issues of translation and interpretation

Cultural differences in perceptions of health and illness - Western Medical Model may differ from cultural ‘norm’

Health and Sensory Issues

People with a learning disability are more likely to have problems with their hearing and vision than the general population.

Core basic physical ill health often also present

Overshadowing

All these needs should be checked. Might want to be something services suggest happens during any waiting for an appointment.

ARC Mental Health in Learning Disability

Projects ARC have 2 projects regarding mental health in learning

disability (both DoH funded)

Clear Thoughts - a ‘knowledge centre’ for individuals, their families and frontline staff

- and

The Candle Project - CAMHS and New Directions in Learning Disability and Ethnicity

Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects

Clear Thoughts - a web based knowledge centre for individuals, their families and frontline staff. The website looks at positive mental health and mental illness

A mainly web-based resource offering information and links to other sources of advice and support

Aims to be clear, accessible and easy to navigate around

Involvement of a range of other organisations and professionals

6 months (or so) left of current DoH funding

Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects

Clear Thoughts - does not just look at mental health and learning disability. Holistic view required.

Pages on the website for Challenging Behaviour, Cultural Issues, Autism and Epilepsy for example

Newsletters and email groups to keep people in touch

Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects

Clear Thoughts - current developments

Images (developed by CHANGE and ‘wordbank’ (what people who have LD say about them)

Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects

Clear Thoughts - current developments

Simple checklists on 8 areas regarding mental health

Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects

Clear Thoughts Resources

Available from Clear Thoughts -

Easy to read information Full audio option on the website 22 specially commissioned images in a

CHANGE Picturebank style 8 Checklists regarding aspects of mental

health Staff mental health awareness training (one

day course)

Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects

The Candle Project - guidance and resource for frontline staff working with children and young people who have a learning disability and mental health issues

Resource covers the key areas of Mental Health, Learning Disability, Ethnicity and Transition

Will be of use in a range of settings and services Focus on practical steps people can take Makes the links between an individual’s development,

their culture, their lifestyle, their environment and their mental health

The Candle Resource The resource is easy to use and offers guidance that can

be used in a number of ways, these include – A ‘pick up and read’ resource for teams and individuals

facing general or specific problems. A tool for discussion within team meetings or with other

professionals. For individual personal development and training. Developing a training programme for staff. A signpost to other resources and material that will

assist staff. A signpost to other organisations and government

departments involved in CAMHS provision

The Candle Resource

Additional sources of advice and support are highlighted throughout the resource and these can help with specific problems

Individuals or organisations can photocopy the

handouts, case studies and tips These can be used to help think through the

key issues individually or as a team during team meetings, away days or informally

Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects

The Candle resource can be downloaded from the Clear Thoughts website www.clearthoughts.info

Or available in hard copy - £25.00 for B&W or on CD £5.00

Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects

The Clear Thoughts checklists can be downloaded from the Clear Thoughts website

www.clearthoughts.info

The images and wordbank and the checklists are available on CD £15.00

Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects

Please have a look at (and then feedback) -

www.clearthoughts.info

Hopefully you will find both of them useful