Health & Mental Health Professionals | Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN)

While people with an intellectual disability experience higher rates of mental health disorders than the general population, they also experience considerable barriers to receiving quality health care. One such barrier is a lack of workforce capacity in mainstream mental health services. Mental health professionals report a lack of confidence and knowledge when working with people with an intellectual disability. In Australia, there is a lack of training in this area during undergraduate/postgraduate education, and limited opportunities for professional development once mental health professionals are qualified. Steps are needed to increase workforce capacity in this area through education and training. 3DN has developed a range of resources for mental health professionals including a core competency framework and online modules to help them develop the necessary knowledge and skills to provide quality health care to people with an intellectual disability.

2018 National Roundtable Communique

The 2018 National Roundtable on the Mental Health of People with Intellectual Disability was hosted at UNSW Sydney in March 2018 and brought together 130 clinicians, academics and sector representatives to workshop recommendations to improve mental health services and outcomes for this population

E-Learning

The e-Learning site www.idhealtheducation.edu.au was launched on 22 July 2013. The site is an interactive education resource for everyone with an interest in intellectual disability mental health. There are currently 17 e-Learning modules available for health and mental health professionals, with further modules planned to be released in the future.

Intellectual Disability Mental Health Core Competency Framework: A Manual for Mental Health Professionals

The Intellectual Disability Mental Health Core Competency Framework: A Manual for Mental Health Professionals describes the specific skills and attributes required by mental health professionals for the provision of quality services to people with an intellectual disability.

Positive Cardiometabolic Health For People With Intellectual Disability

Positive Cardiometabolic Health for People with an Intellectual Disability: an Early Intervention Framework (the Early Intervention Framework) has been adapted from a well-accepted, generalist monitoring framework to address the specific cardiometabolic health needs of people with an intellectual disability.

The Guide

The Guide provides an overview of intellectual disability mental health and the importance of accessible services, including information on the mental health needs of people with intellectual disability and the barriers to accessing appropriate mental health services.

Dementia in people with Intellectual Disability: Guidelines for Australian GPs

The SAge-ID study team have produced guidelines for Australian GPs regarding dementia in people with Intellectual disability.

Easy read resources on mental health services in NSW

3DN, UNSW Sydney, with support from the NSW Ministry of Health, has developed a series of easy read information sheets providing information about accessing and navigating mental health services available within NSW. They are for people with intellectual disability and for those who prefer simple written information.

Bespoke Training

We offer training tailored to the needs of your organisation. Training packages can be prepared and delivered to health professionals, disability professionals and consumer or carer organisations on: