Preparedness and training needs of an Australian public mental health workforce in intellectual disability mental health

ABSTRACT

Background: Australian publicly funded mental health services play a significant role in the assessment and management of mental illness for people with intellectual disability. However, there is limited knowledge on their preparedness to meet the needs of this population.

Method: Public mental health professionals (n=566) completed an online survey that explored their attitudes, confidence, and training needs in the area of intellectual disability mental health. Descriptive analyses were undertaken.

Results: Participants agreed that people with intellectual disability have the right to receive good mental health care, and have the same access to their service. They viewed treating them as part of their role, but given the resources available it was not possible to provide comprehensive care. Participants reported low confidence in key clinical areas and insufficient training.

Conclusions: A comprehensive workforce development strategy is required to facilitate the engagement and capacity of public mental health professionals in this area.

KEYWORDS:

• Intellectual disability
• mental health
• mental health workforce
• attitudes
• confidence
• training needs

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Ms Bernadette Dagg, Dr David Dossetor, Ms Christine Fynn, Dr Roderick McKay, and Ms Tania Skippen for their participation in the project advisory group and their generous sharing of expertise and time. We also appreciate the time spent by the mental health professionals who responded to the survey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work of the Chair Intellectual Disability Mental Health is supported by core funding from Ageing Disability and Home Care, Family and Community Services NSW and the Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Office, NSW Ministry of Health. This project was specifically funded by Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol Office, NSW Ministry of Health.