News Release, 9 June 2003
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities will hold an online conference about the charity's groundbreaking report, Count Us In: the mental health needs of young people with learning disabilities, on Thursday 27 June 2003.
Held at the Foundation's Connects Conference Centre, the unique online venue for mental health and learning disability conferences, the event will enable health and social care professionals, commissioners and researchers, to share information and experience to help improve the mental health of young people with learning disabilities.
Count Us In found that up to forty percent of young people with learning disabilities experience mental health problems, yet they regularly go unnoticed or untreated. The year-long inquiry that informed the report found that young people with learning disabilities are twice as likely to develop mental health problems as other young people, yet many families struggle for years to get appropriate help.
Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilties, said:
"Young people with learning disabilities are susceptible to bullying, abuse, social exclusion and low self-esteem. Many live below the poverty line. These factors alone mean they're likely to develop treatable mental health problems, yet time and again, we've heard from them and their families that they're not getting the support and treatment they need.
"The Count Us In online conference is a timely reminder that young people with learning disabilities who are affected by a mental health problem need better services and better care. Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety are often wrongly perceived to be part of the disability. This conference will bring together experts and professional health and social care workers to share information and good practice so that young people with learning disabilities can get the support they need to maintain and improve their mental health."
Delegates will able to discuss a number of issues including Perspective of Young People and Families; Promoting Emotional Wellbeing; Services, Policies and Practices; and Transition to Adult Services.
Papers will go online on Thursday 27 June 2003 and the live discussion will open on Thursday 3 July 2003 at 2pm and close at 5pm. Comments can be added to the discussions up to Thursday 30 September 2003.
Once delegates have registered free online at www.connects.org.uk/conferences, they can then move through the virtual conference centre, meeting other delegates in the Foyer, reading papers about the key themes and finally moving onto the Discussion area.
ENDS
Return to news releases 2003
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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