Last August, I met two people living with disabilities at a leadership conference, and they had some of the most brilliant minds I had encountered. Their attitude to life was explosive, and not to sound cliché; they saw their “challenges” as an opportunity to advocate for and support other people living with disabilities. Being around them for that period was a full-circle learning moment because I learned from them, they shared their stories with me, I saw how they worked tirelessly, and I was motivated to do more. This experience got me thinking: Ddo we prioritize mental health support for people living with disabilities?
In an earlier article, “There’s No Health without Mental Health,” I explored the importance of mental health and emphasized it as an integral part of overall well-being. However, in this article, I’d like to delve into an issue that should be given more attention globally: promoting mental health support for vulnerable populations. This will specifically address people living with disabilities.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1.3 billion people are living with disabilities, and they experience more limitations in everyday functioning than others. People living with disabilities have had to live with the stigma, and while disabilities {are any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions)} vary widely, the increased vulnerability of people living with disabilities underscores the critical need for targeted mental health support for them.
The barriers for mental health support for people with disabilities include inaccessibility for services, lack of training among healthcare providers, financial barriers, and cultural stigma.
Promoting mental health care for people living with disabilities will require a multifaceted approach that addresses the complexity and myriads of barriers and the need to prioritize people living with disabilities. Some interventions include:
1) Integration of Mental Health into Primary Care
Integrating the provision of mental health services at the lowest level of care to people will generally make it more accessible to people living with disabilities. This creates a system of care where they do not have to go long distances to receive care. Instead, they can do so in the comfort of their communities. Providing facilities for mental health screening, diagnosis, and treatment, including training for primary care providers, is crucial.
2) Community-Based Mental Health Services
Expanding community-based mental health services can provide more accessible and person-to-person care for people living with disabilities. Community health workers, peer support groups, and home-based interventions can offer essential mental health support, particularly in rural or underserved areas where formal healthcare facilities may be scarce. These services can also be tailored to the specific needs of individuals with disabilities, making care more relevant and effective.
3) Inclusive Mental Health Policies and Leadership
People living with disabilities should be included in the decision-making processes and execution of policies related to their mental healthcare. Governments and healthcare organizations should adopt policies that promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in mental healthcare planning and delivery. This includes ensuring that mental health services are physically accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive. Special seats in state and federal lawmaking assemblies should also be designated for people living with disabilities so they can advocate on a legislative basis.
4) Reducing Stigma
Reducing the stigma surrounding both disability and mental health is critical to improving access to care. Public awareness campaigns, education programs, and advocacy efforts can challenge harmful stereotypes and encourage more open conversations about mental health. Involving people with disabilities in these efforts as advocates and peer supporters can further de-stigmatize mental health issues and promote a culture of inclusion.
5) Economic Support and Social Protection
Providing economic support to people living with disabilities, such as scholarships and targeted employment programs, can alleviate financial stress and improve mental health outcomes. Ensuring that people with disabilities have access to education, job training, and employment opportunities promotes economic independence and improves their mental well-being.
6) Training for The Healthcare Providers
Healthcare providers should be adequately trained on the specific mental health needs of people living with disabilities. They should also be taught to discard their biases, discriminatory attitudes, and misconceptions regarding both mental healthcare and people living with disabilities. Policies should also be implemented to address the issues mentioned earlier.
7) Provision of Supportive Infrastructures in Health Facilities
Healthcare facilities should be equipped with facilities that will assist people living with disabilities in accessing care within the health centers, such as ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, sign language interpreters or written materials in Braille, etc
People living with disabilities are a vulnerable population that faces unique challenges related to mental health. One huge lesson I learned from interacting with my friends living with disabilities was the power of kindness and love. At the conference, everyone in our cohort was genuinely mindful of people with disabilities. It was a wholesome experience, and I learned to sign “I love you.” I remember afterward when I got stuck in an elevator for about 15 minutes with someone with a speech and hearing impairment; while I called for help, all I could do was reassure him with what I had learned and sign, “I love you,” to him. He always had a big smile on his face any time I did that to reassure him, and this emphasized that love does conquer all when it comes to improving mental healthcare for people with disabilities.
