10/10/2025
Today is World Mental Health Day! Access to necessary Mental Health Care - including emergency mental health care - is critical for individuals with I/DD and Brain Disorders. According to the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, "People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or IDD, are at higher risk of experiencing behavioral health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. In fact, research has shown that between 39 and 52% of people with IDD — one to two million people nationwide — have a co-occurring psychiatric condition.
But because of stigma, a lack of training among health care professionals, and inadequate, disconnected community supports, people with IDD and co-occurring mental health challenges face obstacles that make it difficult to access the behavioral health care they need."
Today and every day, CSNI supports policy and funding decisions that enable people with Developmental Disabilities and Acquired Brain Disorders to access critical behavioral health supports when and where they need them.
