Mental Health and Learning Disability - ARC projects and resources Learning Disability Today 27th Nov 2008

1. Mental Health and Learning Disability - ARC projects and resourcesLearning Disability Today 27th Nov 2008 David Grundy

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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%

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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’

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects • Clear Thoughts - current developments • Images and ‘wordbank’ (what people who have LD say about them)

15. Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects • Clear Thoughts - current developments • Simple checklists on 8 areas regarding mental health

16. Mental Health in Learning Disability Projects

17. 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)

18. 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

19. 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

20. TheCandleResource • 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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