Mental Health Matters
By the Numbers*
- People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are more likely than people without IDD to have a mental health condition.
- Between 33% and 50% of adults with IDD have a mental health condition.
- Between 40-50% of adults with IDD take medication for mental health.
Common Mental Health Conditions*
- Mood Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Psychotic Disorders
- Behavioral Conditions
(*Based on data from the Virginia National Core Indicators Intellectual and Developmental Disability Survey)
What does Mental Health mean to you?
- Prevention and self-care
- Good days and bad days
- Education for people and their doctors
- Support
- Being seen as more than just a diagnosis
Advice from Self-Advocates
It’s important to remember that it’s okay to ask for help!
There are lots of ways to take care of your mental health, including:
- Going to therapy, online or in person
- Joining a support group
- Spending time outside in nature
- Exercising
- Crafting, painting, or other arts
- Listening to or making music
- Spending time with people and animals
- It’s also okay to not be okay!
Resources:
Taking Control: A Guide to Self-Advocacy
https://www.rethinkessexadvocacy.org/media/to0h313r/taking-control-a-guide-to-self-advocacy.pdf
This guide provides practical strategies and tips to help individuals with mental health challenges take control of their lives and advocate effectively for their needs.
Mental Health Guide
https://cid.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/health-Mental-Health-Guide.pdf
An Easy Read guide by the Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) that provides accessible information and practical advice to help individuals understand and improve their mental health.
Created for people with disabilities by people with disabilities.
This work was supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research [grant #90IFRE0047].