News Release, 6 March 2002
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, part of the Mental Health Foundation, has launched a £300,000 two-year research programme to develop innovative approaches to meeting the mental health needs of young people (aged 14 to 25) with learning disabilities. The Foundation is inviting grant applications and is particularly keen to fund projects that will improve services and that involve family carers and young people with learning disabilities.
It is estimated that 40% of young people with learning disabilities have significant mental health needs. The Foundation is currently conducting a one-year UK-wide Inquiry into the subject , through professionals, young people with learning disabilities and their families, reviewing how well existing services are meeting needs.
"Adolescence is known to be a period when mental health problems are more common, but young people with learning disabilities are even more at risk," said Hazel Morgan, head of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities. "Compared with other young people, they are more likely to experience bullying and to have fewer friends, and the Inquiry evidence indicates that they often have uncertain futures and may find it harder to develop ways of coping with problems."
Mental health and learning disability services have usually not worked effectively together, and if a young person is already receiving learning disability services they are generally perceived as already having their needs met, so that they are less likely to be offered mental health services. Symptoms of mental health problems are often misunderstood as being part of a young person's disability, and learning disability professionals do not usually have training to recognise and provide support for mental health needs. Also, mental health specialists are not usually trained in how to communicate with people with learning disabilities.
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities is making grants available, of between £60,000 and £100,000, over a two-year period, for research projects that will improve the lives of young people and their families. The Foundation is looking for proposals that will lead to a better understanding of effective service delivery, identifying both gaps in current services and the barriers to young people needing access to mental health services, as well as seeking out methods of overcoming such problems.
Hazel Morgan said: "We would like to see research projects which actively involve a wide range of people: professionals, family carers and young people with learning disabilities. We hope that the lessons learned from this research will influence future service provision, so that young people with learning disabilities and mental health problems can access the kind of services they need."
The closing date for grant applications was May 13th 2002.
Four projects have been approved funding. More information on the Count Us In Research Programme into meeting the needs of young people with learning disabilities and mental health problems.
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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