Mental Health
Coast Riverview Amy Romer
Disabilities and Mental Health : Overcoming barriers and finding support
By Melanie Nelson , Amy Bujak and Janelle Peters from Coast Mental Health ’ s Brain Training team .
People with disabilities are disproportionately affected by mental illness . In fact , adults with disabilities report experiencing mental distress almost five times as often as those without .
One of the root causes can be isolation . Whether you ’ re living with a visible or invisible disability , it ’ s easy to become disconnected from people who don ’ t fully understand your experience . Stigma and assumptions about your capabilities can also be invalidating and negatively impact your mental health .
Accessibility also remains a significant barrier , making everyday activities daunting and making you feel excluded . If you ’ ve acquired a disability later in life , adjusting to a new identity and loss of mobility can deeply affect your mental health .
Invisible disabilities also pose their own set of challenges . Fear of disclosure due to societal stigma can lead to isolation and a lack of support . You may face disbelief or invalidation from others , making it difficult to get necessary accommodations and reinforcing your isolation .
But it ’ s not doom and gloom ! Here at Coast Mental Health , we support people hundreds of people living with mental illnesses across Greater Vancouver , many of whom also live with one or more disabilities . There are a few ways that might help .
32 Accessibilty for All To Table of Contents