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This is an easy to read page.
There are lots of other issues that relate to mental health and learning disability. Some of these are highlighted in these pages below. It might be worth considering some of these issues before referring to a mental health professional.
Autism is not a learning disability or mental health problem but people can have all three.
Children and young people will be dealt with by the local CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) professionals. The time when young people move from these services into adult services can be difficult and planning should be taking place before any move.
Challenging Behaviour is one of the biggest reasons people with a learning disability are referred to mental health professionals. There are a number of reasons for people displaying challenging behaviour and many of these are not mental ill health, some of these are mentioned in the following pages.
It is important that where it is possible other factors are ruled out before making a referral.
Lots of people with a learning disability also have epilepsy and this can increase the chances of also having a mental health problem. Some types of epliepsy do not lead to people having seizures but their actions and behaviours when they suffer from an incident can be seen as mental ill health.
Coming from a different country, culture or background can also have an impact on a person's well being, especially if this leads to misunderstandings. A behaviour or belief may be normal in one country but viewed as strange or a sign of mental ill health in another.
Some people have poor physical health and poor physical health can lead to mental ill health. Taking steps to improve your physical health (a better diet or doing more exercise) can help with positive mental health.
People who have problems with hearing or seeing need to have their problems (impairments) considered. Sometimes these conditions are missed when people have a learning disability.
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