Supporting people with learning disabilities with their wellbeing

People with a learning disability are more likely to experience poor mental wellbeing than the general population.

Partners in Bury have created two videos to raise awareness of this for people with learning disabilities and for carers, support workers and anyone else. The videos are there to promote help for people with a learning disability to improve their mental wellbeing, and to share ideas with carers and support workers about how they can improve someone’s mental wellbeing.

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps anyone can take to improve their mental health and wellbeing:

• Connect with other people
• Be physically active
• Learn new skills
• Give to others, be kind
• Pay attention to the present moment

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Health and Wellbeing said: “People with learning disabilities go through the same feelings and emotions as anyone else but can face discrimination which can further impact their wellbeing.

“They go through mental wellbeing issues just like everyone else and might need an extra bit of help and support.

“The videos have been produced with them to show how they can look after their own mental wellbeing, and how carers and other support workers can also provide that help.”

The videos have been produced by the NHS, Bury Council’s Public Health team and The Bury People First Group using funding from NHS Greater Manchester ICB in collaboration with Burys NHS/ICB team and the Public Health Team.

The videos along with further advice and support can be found at Mental wellbeing for People with a Learning Disability | The Bury Directory.