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

“When other people try to understand”: exploring the experiences of people with intellectual... 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/approachA 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.FindingsThree 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/implicationsIncluding a SU in the planning and facilitation of the focus group would have made this research more inclusive.Practical implicationsThe 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/valueVery 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. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities Emerald Publishing

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

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References (32)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
2044-1282
eISSN
2044-1282
DOI
10.1108/amhid-07-2018-0032
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

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/approachA 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.FindingsThree 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/implicationsIncluding a SU in the planning and facilitation of the focus group would have made this research more inclusive.Practical implicationsThe 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/valueVery 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.

Journal

Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual DisabilitiesEmerald Publishing

Published: Jun 9, 2020

Keywords: Intellectual disability; Listening; Focus group; Qualitative research; Mental health problems; Service user experiences

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