How Mental Health Issues Double for Learning Disabilities

People with learning disabilities may face unique challenges impacting their mental well-being.

How Mental Health Issues Double for Learning Disabilities

What are Mental Health Problems?

This term refers to emotional, psychological and psychiatric upset experienced by a quarter of the population annually. Increased stress levels due to environmental issues such as abuse, neglect or loneliness may be genetic, discrimination, bereavement or being socially disadvantaged.

Research

The accumulation of negative life events over the life course results in higher levels of stress, which can increase the risk of developing mental health problems (Bond et al., 2019). 

Higher Risk of Mental Health Issues

Individuals with learning disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health issues compared to the general population. 

Some studies suggest the rate of mental health problems in people with a learning disability is double that of the general population. (Cooper, 2007; Emerson & Hatton, 2007; NICE, 2016.

This can result in changes in behaviour, such as distress, irritability and agitation. (NICE, 2016).

A list of challenges for those with Learning Disabilities

Social Isolation and Communication Challenges

Communication difficulties, discrimination, and barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare can contribute to this increased risk. Many individuals with learning disabilities may have problems expressing their emotions, thoughts, and feelings. Communicating their mental health needs or distress to others is challenging, leading to potential underdiagnosis and inadequate support.

Stigma and Social Isolationfor

Stigma and misconceptions about learning disabilities can lead to social isolation, and can negatively impact mental health. Isolation can contribute to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

Barriers to Accessing Care

Limited access to appropriate healthcare services and a lack of understanding from healthcare workers can prevent individuals with learning disabilities from receiving the necessary support for their mental health issues.

Co-occurring Conditions for those with Learning disabilites

Learning disabilities often coexist with other conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and communication disorders. These conditions can further complicate the assessment and treatment of mental health concerns.

Supportive Environments

When there is a lack of understanding and professional knowledge, it's harder to create a supportive and inclusive environment to promote positive mental health outcomes. There are more children with learning disabilities in the classroom than the teachers know. Tailored educational and vocational opportunities would support more children and create positive outcomes. As a result, supportive social connections build a sense of belonging within the class.

Person-Centred Approaches

When addressing mental health in individuals with learning disabilities, a person-centred approach recognises and respects an individual's unique needs. ‘One size fits all’ education denies many children the chance for a fair education. 

Early Intervention

Early identification and intervention are key to preventing or minimising the impact of mental health issues. Many children are not seen, or the schools are reluctant to investigate extra needs due to a lack, of funding. As a result, children end up with a poor education, a mental health issue, or just give up. 

Advocacy and Empowerment

Empowering individuals with learning disabilities to advocate for themselves and participate in care decisions can improve mental health outcomes.

Research

A child with learning disabilities is four and a half times more likely to have mental health issues than a child without difficulties. 

Emerson, E., & Hatton, C. (2007). Mental health of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities in Britain. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 191(6), 493–499.

Lack of knowledge

Due to a lack of understanding and awareness, severe or profound learning difficulties can be more easily identified. Many are complicated by the fact that not enough mental health issues are acted on in those with learning difficulties. Teachers and health professionals see their distress as part of the learning difficulties, not their mental health.

Children with moderate and Severe or profound learning difficulties can more easily identified. Many are complicated with medical conditions, and professionals are involved.  

The invisible ones with Learning Disabilities

I want to speak up for those invisible children with mild learning difficulties that get lost in the system. These children muddle along in a world that doesn't always understand them and doesn't always understand their world. I worry about these children as they are vulnerable to abuse, neglect and bullying.   

Many children go through the education system, but don't get what they need, as they don’t fit in. The education system teaches the middle range of educational abilities. Those who are dyslexic, Autistic, or have ADHD struggle and get lost. Many fail to realise their potential or believe they are a failure in a system that doesn't understand them. There is little support for children without a statement of needs, so children with difficulties may fail.

In some schools, children with autism have to wait for support, as professionals feel that it's best to wait until there is evidence of mental health concerns before assessing.. I think that’s cruel, as the child would have to deal with these effects of that for the rest of their life. 

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published new data that shows just 22% of autistic adults are in any employment.