Serving the Mental Health Needs of Persons with a Developmental Disability

Applying a Trauma-Informed and Bio-Psycho-Social approach to care, participants will be introduced to the topic of developmental disabilities and mental health with a focus on Prevention, Assessment and Support. Caregivers and supports will gain a deeper understanding of the effects of mental health concerns as well as how to develop resilience and mental wellness. Participants will be introduced to a variety of assessment and screening tools to assist in understanding challenging situations or behaviours. 

This training will review a variety of effective and evidence-based strategies that aim to prevent challenging situations through a strengths-based approach. Training participants will be introduced to a variety of techniques and strategies that will assist in supporting individuals through challenging and/or crisis situations.  Understanding the impact of challenging situations for the caregiver, this training will also focus on the importance of self-care to effectively support others through the creation of a self-care tool kit. 

Through an interactive approach, participants will work through case studies where they will have an opportunity to apply their learnings.  A variety of resources and tools will be provided to each participant for their future use. Should a participant miss a day of training, a recording will be made available upon request. 

 Learning Outcomes 

1. Describe developmental disabilities, mental health problems/disorders, dual diagnosis, and their characteristics. 
2. Examine the Bio-Psycho-Social context and mental health well-being of individuals with a developmental disability. 
3. Outline and implement a Trauma-Informed Care approach. 
4. Apply prevention, assessment, and support strategies in supporting an individual with a developmental disability. 
5. Recognize the importance of self-care for the carer.