Services for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems in Singapore: perspectives from mainstream mental health professionals

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is threefold: to document the relationship between intellectual disability (ID) and psychopathology; to raise awareness of the ongoing lag in professional training for psychologists in the area of mental health treatment for people with intellectual disabilities; and, to provide recommendations for advancing professional education and, ultimately, adequate mental health treatment availability for people with intellectual disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the literature on prevalence of mental health problems in people with intellectual disabilities. At the same time, the paper reviews the training of psychologists relative to the burgeoning growth in awareness of the mental health needs of people with intellectual disabilities. Findings – The paper concludes that ID is a significant risk factor for psychopathology. In addition, the paper concludes that the education of psychologists regarding the mental health needs of people with intellectual disabilities is insufficient. The authors document the need for incorporating research and treatment advances related to intellectual disabilities and mental health into to the professional training of psychologists. The paper also describe the potential this training holds for improving both the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and the overall competence of psychologists. Practical implications – This paper provides a literature-based rationale for the need to include education in the mental health needs of people with intellectual disabilities into the general training of mental health professionals. In addition, it provides specific recommendations for how such training can be incorporated into graduate psychology programs. Originality/value – This paper provides mental health professionals with a review of the growth in understanding of the enormous, unmet mental health needs of people intellectual disabilities, and of the critical role of ID in development of mental health problems. Moreover, this paper builds the case for an important revision in the training of psychologists to include competence in understanding and treating mental health problems across the full spectrum of intellectual functioning.

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What do specialist mental health professionals think of the mental health services for people with intellectual disabilities in Singapore?

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities ◽

10.1177/17446295211030094 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174462952110300

Author(s):

Jonathan Ee ◽

Biza Stenfert Kroese ◽

Jan Mei Lim ◽

John Rose

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Specialist Service ◽

Staff Members ◽

Community Recommendations ◽

People With Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

Background: This research aimed to investigate the views and experiences of specialist mental health professionals working with adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems in Singapore in order to gain insight into the functioning of the local specialist intellectual disability mental health service and how it may be improved. Methods: Eight staff members from specialist service were interviewed. The transcriptions of the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Analysis revealed four themes (1) Identifying their roles; (2) Ensuring continuity of care; (3) Disempowerment of service users and (4) Improving clinical practice. Conclusions: Participants identified the challenges they faced working with this population. They highlighted the importance of building therapeutic relationships during the treatment process and discussed the stigma that people with intellectual disabilities face in the community. Recommendations and implications are discussed in relation to service provision, improving staff knowledge and recruiting more staff to work in this field.

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Understanding the mental health experiences of adult men with intellectual disabilities in Singapore

Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities ◽

10.1108/amhid-06-2021-0029 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan Ee ◽

Jan Mei Lim ◽

Biza Stenfert Kroese ◽

John Rose

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Research Question ◽

Health Problems ◽

Western Society ◽

Content Type ◽

Adult Men ◽

People With Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose This study aims to explore the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities in Singapore receiving inpatient mental health treatment. To date, there has not been any research that examines the views and experiences of this population in Singapore. The research examines how the participants view their mental health problems and their experiences of the services they received. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative design was chosen to address the research question. Six adult men with intellectual disabilities were recruited from the tertiary hospital and interviewed. The transcripts of these interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Four super-ordinate themes were identified; awareness of mental health problems; yearn for a life outside the ward; interacting with other people and finding purpose. Originality/value The participants reported that they struggled with being segregated from their families and communities following an inpatient admission. They were able to report on the emotional difficulties that they experienced and hoped to find employment after their discharge from the hospital. They talked about reconstructing their self-identity and forming friendships to cope with their hospital stay. This research is one of its kind carried out in a non-western society and the findings are discussed in the light of how mental health professionals can best support people with intellectual disabilities during their inpatient treatment.

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Mental health problems, benefits and tackling discrimination

BJPsych Bulletin ◽

10.1192/bjb.2018.43 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 42 (5) ◽

pp. 200-205 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Alexander Galloway ◽

Billy Boland ◽

Gareth Williams

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Clinical Evidence ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Health Policy ◽

Health Problems ◽

Advisory Board ◽

Policy Institute

SummaryPoverty is strongly associated with mental illness. Access to state benefits can be a lifeline for people with mental health problems in times of hardship and can assist them on their journey of recovery. However, benefit application processes can discriminate against those with mental illness and can result in individuals unjustly missing out on support. Clinical evidence from mental health professionals can ameliorate these challenges and ensure that people get access to financial help.Declaration of interestDr Billy Boland is on the advisory board of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute.

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Disability Studies and Social Geography Make a Good Marriage: Research on Life Trajectories of People with Intellectual Disabilities and Additional Mental Health Problems

Emerging Perspectives on Disability Studies ◽

10.1057/9781137371973_5 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 97-129 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lien Claes ◽

Elisabeth De Schauwer ◽

Geert Van Hove

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Disability Studies ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Social Geography ◽

Health Problems ◽

Life Trajectories ◽

People With Intellectual Disabilities

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Staff supporting people with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems

Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1017/cbo9780511543616.025 ◽

2001 ◽

pp. 388-399 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chris Hatton ◽

Fiona Lobban

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

People With Intellectual Disabilities

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“When other people try to understand”: exploring the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities, who also have mental health problems

Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities ◽

10.1108/amhid-07-2018-0032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 91-101

Author(s):

Sasha Martine Mattock ◽

Kieron Beard ◽

Amy Baddeley

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Focus Group ◽

Health Services ◽

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Content Type ◽

The People ◽

People With Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose Recent guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence highlight that service users (SUs) with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring mental health problems rarely get the opportunity to share their experiences of mental health services. Over the past 20 years, policy documents have stated that these individuals (SUs) must be included in decisions about their care. Research suggests that often this is not the case. Therefore, this paper aims to create a space for SUs to share their experiences of mental health services, and what they found helpful. Design/methodology/approach A focus group was held with five SUs, two psychologists and two researchers. The audio recording of the discussion was transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Three main themes were identified, namely, “relationships with others”, “inclusion and communication” and “challenges”. This focus group highlighted that although some SUs felt supported, they reported having little control in their lives and wanted to be listened to. Research limitations/implications Including a SU in the planning and facilitation of the focus group would have made this research more inclusive. Practical implications The implications of this research suggest that by listening to and involving SUs and developing more person-centred services, recovery rates may increase as the services provided would be more targeted. Originality/value Very little research has previously been conducted to explore SUs’ experiences. This paper highlights the value of being heard and the knowledge that is often lost if the authors do not take the time to listen to the people for whom a service is designed.

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