Event Description

People with intellectual & cognitive disability are more likely than the general population to experience mental health conditions; but are less likely to receive mental health diagnosis, treatment and care.

Social workers across a range  of settings can support improved mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people with intellectual and cognitive disability, including mental health prevention, early intervention, crisis response, and recovery support.

The training will present knowledge and creative strategies for better understanding and responding to people with dual disability.

Webinar content will include:

• Historical and contemporary lived experience of dual disability, including hearing from a co-presenter with lived experience.
• An integrated framework for dual disability practice (Relationship Based; Disability Informed, Trauma Informed, and Capacity Building).
• Intersecting individual and social factors that structure the lived experience of intellectual & cognitive disability, increase risk of poor mental health outcomes, and create barriers to effective support.
• Effective communication with people with intellectual and cognitive disability (making the abstract concrete; taking time; developing shared language).
• Skills and strategies for a holistic approach to wellbeing across the mental health continuum (prevention; early intervention; crisis response; recovery).

Who should register?

This webinar caters for practitioners that are looking to deepen their knowledge, skills and confidence to support people with dual disability. It identifies their ability to recognise and respond to mental health needs of people with intellectual and cognitive disability.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:  

• To develop an understanding of the lived experience of people with dual disability.
• To develop an of individual and social factors impacting mental health risk and creating barriers to mental health support.
• To recognise mental health issues in people with intellectual or cognitive disability and develop appropriate interventions (brief/medium/longer term).
• To build knowledge and skills for effective communication with people with dual disability to support improved mental health knowledge and outcomes.
• To develop strategies for adapting current practice in creative ways to better responding to people with dual disability.

AASW Credentials: Disability; Mental Health