People with Intellectual Disabilities

People with intellectual disabilities have the same right as everyone else to have their mental and physical health looked after. 

If you are a person with an intellectual disability and you are receiving care and treatment in an inpatient mental health centre, you can ask the service to show that you are being treated in a person-centred way. Your family, friends and the people that support you will also want to know you are being treated this way.

Person-centred care is about making sure that each person with an intellectual disability

• gets the care and treatment that is right for them
• has their needs and wishes understood
• is respected
• is listened to
• and is encouraged and supported to take part as far as possible in decisions that affect them.

In May 2026, the MHC launched Guidance for staff giving mental health services to people with intellectual disabilities, including an Easy-to-Read version.