An intellectual disability may affect a person’s ability to learn new information, communicate, cope and effectively solve problems on their own.
Having an intellectual disability can create stress and vulnerability, for both the person and their support network. People with an intellectual disability may also experience higher rates of abuse compared to the general population, which creates additional needs for support.
Providing support to a person who experiences both a mental health condition and intellectual disability can be complex.
People with both conditions may:
Mental health conditions affect everyone differently. This also applies to people with an intellectual disability, and to people where these are coexisting conditions.
Maia’s storyThis article describes Maia’s story. Maia’s mother, Michele, worries that people have “disability blindness” where they only see one disability and don’t see anything else.Type: Web pageEstimated reading time: 5 minutesProduced by: Mental Health Commission of NSWAccessible Mental Health Services for People with an Intellectual Disability: A Guide for ProvidersThis is a comprehensive guide for providers to build their understanding of mental health in people with an intellectual disability and how to provide inclusive services.Type: Publication (PDF)Length: 78 pagesProduced by: UNSW | Developmental Disability NeuropsychiatryMHFA Intellectual Disability GuidelinesThese guidelines are for adults offering mental health first aid to adults and adolescents with an intellectual disability.Type: Publication (PDF)Reading time: 125 pagesProduced by: Mental Health First AidIntellectual disability, mental health eLearningThis site provides free eLearning modules for carers, health professionals and disability professionals aimed at improving their knowledge, skills and confidence, to improve the wellbeing of people with an intellectual disability.Type: eLearningProduced by: UNSW | Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry
Mental health and coexisting conditions
