“This really is the last chance for key changes to be made to the Mental Health Bill, so it makes a meaningful difference for 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. , autistic people and their families.
“There are over 2000 people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health hospitals. Many are there not because they need inpatient mental health treatment but because of a lack of
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
and suitable housing.
“The Government has promised to change this through the Mental Health Bill. But a major issue hiding in plain sight is that the Government has said the key
law
Laws are the rules that everyone in the country has to follow. If you don't follow the rules you can get in trouble with the police.
change for people with a learning disability and autistic people will only be ‘switched on’ when sufficient
community
A community is the people and places in an area.
support is in place and yet there is no plan to ensure this happens.
“Once detained, we know people can get trapped for many years and there are countless stories of unspeakable abuse Abuse is when someone bullies you and does or says something to you that makes you feel hurt, upset or scared. and neglect Neglect is when you are not being cared for or supported. in mental health hospitals – people have had bones broken, been left covered in bruises and experienced lasting trauma due to brutal and excessive physical restraint and being locked up in solitary confinement for months on end.
“We are urging MPs to support Jen Craft MP’s amendment, requiring the Government to publish a roadmap for getting sufficient community support in place and switching on these changes as soon as possible. Without this people with a learning disability and their families are being left with real uncertainty over when or even if the promised change will ever happen. We urgently need MPs to make this
human rights
Human rights are the rights that everyone has. These include the right to go to school and the right to start a family.
scandal a thing of the past.”
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact Mencap’s media team on: [email protected] or 02076 965414 (including out of hours).
Note to editors
About Mencap
Mencap exists to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We support people directly and
campaign
A campaign is when people work together to try to change something.
with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We work to change laws, increase representation and campaign for better health, social care and
employment
Employment means having a job.
opportunities for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.
What is a learning disability?
- A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
- Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or
dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. People who have dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell.
) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect. With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
Mencap’s guide to reporting on Learning Disability
When it comes to creating content with people with a learning disability, we know many people feel nervous about saying and doing the wrong thing. Our guide for journalists, covers everything from up-to-date facts and figures to the right language to use. It also includes tips on how to work with people with a learning disability to gather the best content.
