Guide to Mental Health for Families and Carers of People with Intellectual Disabilities

Highly commended by the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) Positive Practices Awards in the Learning Disabilities and Mental Health category for 2004 'The guide covers, in detail, a complex body of knowledge, in both a sensitive and accessible manner. It is neither patronising nor lofty in its approach, recognizing the needs of families and carers as central at all times. This target audience should find it of real benefit in demystifying the complex issues and challenging situations with which they are faced and in accessing a directory to additional support available.'

This book is authored by renowned practitioners in the field and highly recommended by the National Institue for Mnetal Health in England Positive Practices Awards. As the authors point out, mental health problems are more common in people with intellectual disability, while posing unique diagnostic problems. Moreover, carers can have difficulty in accessing information, and in knowing how to help the person they care ofr in the best possible way. It may be difficult for carers to find out what the symptoms to look out for, how to access help, and what they can do for the person they care for. It can also be difficult for carers to knoe how to safeguard their own rights and needs, in the midst of caring ofr a person with intellectual disability. This guide should help them access such information.The book is clearl ylaid out, with a summary of each chapter provided in the beginning of the guide, and a list of 'key messages' preceding each chapter. Case studies are used to illustrate the points being made. The book provides contact details for further useful resources within each chapter.

This is an innovative exploration of an important issue, of international interest.

In addition to support group contact details, there is also information about their legal rights, ethical issues, respite services, crisis resolution, and planning for the future. In addition to being laid out in a clear, systematic, and easy to use book, the authors provide an excellent further reading list and glossary to accompany a text that will be helpful to al carers.

The authors of the Guide to Mental Health for Families and Carers of People with Intellectual Disabilities have produced a handbook that helps give a greater depth of understanding and empathy concerning the needs of families and carers. This book will significantly help health care professionals and service users to appreciate through the guides's systematic approach that people with learning disabilities who are also experiencing mental health problems have complex needs. This book is a very welcome addition to our descriptive armour concerning composing a thorough practical approach to guiding and directing families on the best available move towards good clinical governance and therefore this book published by Jessica Kingsley is highly recommended.

`The guide will be of value to paid carers as well as family carers. It provides introductory information about mental health problems as they present in people with learning disabilities, and advises carers on their role. It covers a wide range of topics, from anxiety and advocacy to mental health legislation, in a straightforward way. I recommend this guide to intellectual disability mental health services and carers' centres as a useful resource which will help families and carers get more out of services and enhance their own understanding of supporting people with intellectual disabilities who also have mental health problems'.

This book aims to increase the understanding of mental illness and associated behaviour, therefore leading to improved quality of life for both the person with ID and their carers. Knowledge in issues relevant to caring can equip the carer to be more assertive and responsive regarding the needs of the person that they support. Readers are encouraged to explore linking and networking as opposed to standing alone. General information needs can easily be neglected by clinicians and professionals but this book fills the gap

As a family carer I think it's helpful to have some basic knowledge about mental health, especially about signs and symptoms. I hoped that reading the book would help me to build up my knowledge and find out more - and it did. The book more than met my expectations in that respect. The resource lists at the end of each chapter are particularly good. The book is a good guide to mental health, and one that will be useful for carers.