On this page, you will find information and resources specific to supports and strategies that encourage healthy emotional, physical, and mental well-being for individuals with I/DD, brain injuries, or other cognitive disabilities and a mental health condition. Individuals and supporters may find ideas for achieving wellness goals and navigating medical systems.
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Promoting Holistic Well-Being— Video (1:01:30) promoting holistic well-being for individuals with I/DD and mental health issues, covering causes and background of I/DD, mental illness, challenges, and support strategies (The Arc of Virginia, 2023)
- Gretchen - Mental Health— Video (1:28) showing a self-advocate named Gretchen explaining what she does to take care of herself (ASERT, 2021)
- Renee – What I Do to Keep Mentally Well— Video (2:41) where Renee explains how she uses her wellness recovery action plan to maintain her mental well-being, especially when triggered (ASERT, 2021)
- Physical Activity and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities: A Meta-analysis Using the RE-AIM Framework— Article demonstrating that physical activity greatly benefits mental health in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities, especially with therapeutic and aerobic exercises lasting over 120 minutes per week (Yang, Liang, and Sit, 2022)
- Polypharmacology and Diagnostic Overshadowing (Video)— Video (6:33) that explains polypharmacology and diagnostic overshadowing related to individuals with complex mental and behavioral health needs and I/DD (North Carolina Complex MH/IDD Resources, North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, University of North Carolina School of Social Work Behavioral Health Springboard, 2023)
- Easy Read Summary: Things that Will Help People To Leave the Hospital— Easy Read version of the report called: Supporting Alternate Level of Care (ALC) Patients With a Dual Diagnosis to Transition From Hospital to Home: Practice Guidance. Document that describes the things that will help people with a dual diagnosis who are hospitalized to leave the hospital and have a successful transition home (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2023)
- Supporting Alternate Level of Care (ALC) Patients With a Dual Diagnosis To Transition From Hospital to Home: Practice Guidance— Report that covers core principles and strategies that support effective transitions for people with a dual diagnosis from hospital settings to home (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Avra Selick, Susan Morris, Tiziana Volpe, and Yona Lunsky, 2023)
- Easy Read Summary: Things That Will Help People To Leave the Hospital— Report that provides helpful strategies for people with developmental disabilities and mental health conditions transitioning out of a hospital and back to their homes (Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities Program and Center for Addiction and Mental Health, 2023)
- Clinical Pearls in IDD Healthcare that are Important Knowledge for DSPs— Article covering the health needs of people with disabilities and “clinical pearls,” or small bits of information, that may help a DSP identify health care concerns in the people they work with (IntellectAbility)
- Health Care for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Behavioral and Mental Health Issues— Guidance for possible medical issues that might be triggering certain behaviors and steps to consider when weighing whether to prescribe psychotropic medications (Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, University of Tennessee Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, WITH, 2021)
- Healthcare Transition Toolkit— Comprehensive toolkit to empower people with disabilities, their families, and other disability advocates to help youth with disabilities manage their own health care as they transition to adulthood (Autistic Self-Advocacy Network)
- Practical Tips for Supporting a Person’s Preferences in Their Health and Wellness Goals— Ideas and strategies for supporting a holistic sense of health and wellness (Frontline Initiative, 2023)
- People With Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD): Telehealth Overview— Brief for health plans to further expand understanding of how telehealth modalities can improve access to person-centered care for people with I/DD (Resources for Integrated Care, 2023)
- Healthy Brain Webinar Series for People With IDD (Video)— Presentation (1:11:40) that introduces the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Healthy Brain Initiative for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (HBI-PwIDD) (HealthMatters Program, 2020-23)
- Healthy Behavior Check-in: Supporting Well-being for People with Disabilities— Checklist that provides a template to learn about the needs of people with disabilities, and what their actions and non-verbal cues say about their needs (Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities)