News Release, 28 August 2002
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities (FPLD) today announced that it will fund four two-year projects designed to help meet the mental health needs of young people with learning disabilities. The grants coincide with a FPLD Inquiry into the subject, and are funded by Baily Thomas Charitable Fund.
All the projects are unique, and will provide models of good practice that can be disseminated and replicated throughout the UK. The projects involve the views of young people with learning disabilities, in some cases focus on minority ethnic groups, and address depression and anxiety.
The Foundation aims to influence future policy and practice in addressing the mental health needs of young people with learning disabilities, a severely neglected area.
Said Hazel Morgan, Head of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities:
"I'm delighted with this grants programme. These projects are immensely promising, and we look forward to the results. Adolescence is a time when everyone is at greater risk of developing mental health problems, but young people with learning disabilities are even more at risk."
The projects are:
- The implementation of self-defined service models via a liaison worker in a multi-ethnic inner city population. Grant Holder: Dr Raghu Raghavan, School of Health Studies, University of Bradford. The project focuses on the needs of young people from a minority ethnic community where language and cultural differences can create further barriers to getting the right services.
- "What's Happening?" How young people with learning disabilities and their parents/carers understand anxiety and depression. Grant holder: Alastair Wilson, Strathclyde Centre for Disability Research, University of Glasgow. The project aims to examine user perspectives in a difficult area.
- What leads carers to identify changes in emotional and mental wellbeing in young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and how do they respond? Lead Applicant: Professor James Hogg, White Top Research Unit, University of Dundee. The study will look at how carers respond to changes in emotional and mental wellbeing and include workshops to help carers seek appropriate advice.
- "Mind the Gap": research into meeting the mental health needs of young people with learning disabilities in Somerset working through the Connexions Service. Lead Applicants: Paul St Quintin/Pauline Heslop, Joint Commissioning Team, Taunton Social Services working with the Norah Fry Research Centre. The project aims to identify and overcome the barriers to service provision for young people with a learning disability and mental health problems making the transition to adult services.
Further information on the Count Us In Research Programme
Return to news releases 2002
Note to editors
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
The Foundation promotes the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families. We do this by working with people with learning disabilities, their families and those who support them to:
- Do research and develop projects that promote social inclusion and citizenship
- Support local communities and services to include people with learning disabilities
- Make practical improvements in services for people with learning disabilities
- Spread knowledge and information.
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