It's time to listen
People with a learning disability have often struggled with social inclusion and finding opportunities to be socially active. This has been made worse by the pandemic: long periods of isolation due to national lockdowns have taken their toll, but so too has the reduction or closure of
day services
Day services are things some people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
do in the day, usually as part of a group. For example: drama or craft.
and shrinking
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
support.
Why now?
As the UK builds back from the global coronavirus pandemic, there is a risk that policymakers will ignore the mental health needs of people with a learning disability – and we can’t let that happen.
Our work
Over the next few years, we will work with people with a learning disability, families, the public, professionals and policymakers to promote understanding and practical support around mental health for people with a learning disability.
We will also be looking to make sure that when the going gets tough, and people's mental health becomes negatively impacted, that the right support is there to meet their needs.
What you need to know
A mental illness is not the same as a learning disability. Mental health problems include depression and bi-polar disorder. Though, just like everyone else, someone with a learning disability can also have mental health problems.
Looking after your mental health and wellbeing
People with a learning disability and their supporters have told us that it’s not always easy to find
accessible
Accessible means something is easy for people to use or join in with. For example: Accessible writing means the writing is easy to read and understand.
information about mental health and wellbeing. To help change that, we’ve created some
Easy Read
Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Pictures are usually added next to the writing.
guides and other helpful resources.
