Our Week, Our View

Hello readers, Emily and Kerry here. It’s been another full week for us, starting with an early Monday morning. Laura, who helps us edit this column, picked us up and we headed to Upton House. It was sunny, and the air was crisp, a morning that makes the early start feel worth it.

Our task was to share with senior health leaders, how we support people with a learning disability to improve their mental wellbeing. We had 15 minutes (sorry to those there as we did run over!), but there was a lot to explain.

It may surprise you, but many people assume that having a learning disability means you’ll also have a mental health condition. It’s not true. We’re just like everyone else. Having a learning disability does not automatically mean you will experience mental health difficulties.

However, research shows that people with a learning disability are 4 times more likely to experience a mental health problem at some point. That’s because we’re much more likely to experience things like bullying, discrimination, trauma, social disadvantages and more. Experiences likely to affect anyone’s mental health.

Many of us also live with additional health conditions, which can put extra strain on our emotional wellbeing.

Another important point we shared is that, even when someone with a learning disability is struggling with their mental health, it is often missed. Those around us may associate changes in our behaviour as simply part of our learning disability, rather than signs we may need support.

That’s why having a strong support system matters so much for people like us. Family, friends, and professionals who understand us well can spot when something isn’t right - and help us get the support we need. Speaking of mental health support, that’s a topic we’ll be returning to soon!

The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff