Mental health crisis information for people with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Purpose

The use of accessible, portable, mental health crisis information in people with intellectual disabilities has not been previously reported. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether crisis information could be modified to be made accessible and meaningful for people with intellectual disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Personalized information to help in a mental health crisis was recorded on folded A4 sized sheets that could be carried in a conveniently sized wallet.

Findings

Three quarters of the participants carried their crisis information wallets on a daily basis for six months before evaluation. They and their carers expressed positive feedback about them carrying the crisis information. No one carrying the information actually experienced a mental health crisis in the six months follow up period so their usefulness in such crises could not be evaluated. However, they were unexpectedly used in other non‐mental health settings and reported to have been helpful.

Originality/value

The sample size in this was small but the findings suggested that the carrying of crisis information might be a helpful measure for some people with intellectual disabilities. A further, larger scale trial is warranted.

Citation

Hemmings, C., Obousy, S. and Craig, T. (2013), "Mental health crisis information for people with intellectual disabilities", Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 135-142. https://doi.org/10.1108/20441281311320710