CYP Now - Overshadowed: The Mental Health Needs of Children and Young People with Learning Disabilities

It is estimated that around 1.2 million people in England have a learning disability (Mencap, 2017). People with learning disabilities experience poorer health outcomes than the rest of the population, including with their mental health.

Children and young people with learning disabilities are more than four times more likely to develop a mental health problem than those without. Picture: AndreaObzerova/Adobe Stock

Children and young people with learning disabilities are more than four times more likely to develop a mental health problem than those without. This means that 14 per cent of all children and young people with mental health difficulties in the UK will also have a learning disability. Studies suggest that it is the wider risk factors that these young people and families experience, rather than their learning disability, that contributes to poorer mental health.

This report, commissioned by Comic Relief, explores these factors combining insight from young people (aged 11 to 25), families, professionals and research. An expert reference group was also established to help inform the report and develop solutions.

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