Research shows that people with intellectual disability have a higher rate of mental health problems than the general population, but can struggle to get their particular needs met. This presentation will outline the opportunities and challenges for adults with intellectual disability to access appropriate support across NSW, including rural communities.It will look at professional services including GPs, public mental health services, private psychiatry and psychological supports – which may be funded through the NDIS. Information will be provided about the relatively new local and statewide specialist services in NSW. Taking a holistic view of mental health promotion, it will also explore the role social networks, meaningful activity and exercise can play, and their availability.
The type of support people receive is constrained by the services known and accessible, which does not always mean the best possible care is provided. The over use of anti-psychotics amongst people with intellectual disability reported by the Royal Commission is evidence of this. It will also be argued that the coordination of NDIS and health services is critical from an individual to state level to optimise mental health support for adults with intellectual disability.
Dr David Thomson
David is the coordinator of the Statewide Intellectual Disability Mental Health Outreach Service (SIDMHOS). This a Ministry of Health initiative to improve mental health support for adults with intellectual disability across NSW. Qualified as a mental health nurse and a teacher for children with intellectual disability, he has a diverse history of work with people with intellectual disability in both the UK and Australia. This has included advocacy, decision making, ageing, abuse and support for family cares.
His PHD focused on sexual issues for men with intellectual disabilities based on ten years of providing direct support to men and their carers.