Working Together to Provide Expert Support for Dual Diagnosis
People with learning disabilities are at greater risk of mental ill health than the general population. When a person has learning disabilities and mental health issues, this is called a dual diagnosis and we support people with this diagnosis.
We take a multidisciplinary approach to supporting these individuals with such complex and far-reaching issues, so that the support we provide can start to have a positive effect across all aspects of the individual’s life. In some instances their issues will have been compounded over years, so a long term approach is often needed to help them.
We are passionate about providing these individuals with the quality support they need. Our support teams receive specialist training in supporting these people, enabling them to work with confidence, empathy and understanding, as well as to spot any signs of relapse, so potential issues can be met early on.
It’s unsurprising that many people with learning disabilities experience mental health problems. They may have been disadvantaged in areas of education and work and with had less opportunities. Their lives may have been unsettled with change, disruption or loss. The high stress levels, feelings of isolation and poor self esteem this can cause may lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. They may also have inherent mental health disorders such as personality disorder or schizophrenia.
When a person has experienced so many challenges in their life, simply listening to them, understanding them and helping them to explore and work towards their own goals and dreams can be hugely empowering for them, helping them to transform their lives.
We work with individuals, their families, commissioners, community support services and other health and social care providers to support individuals with a dual diagnosis to live a life of their choosing.
