Adults with disabilities are about five times more likely to report frequent mental distress than adults without disabilities. If your mental health condition interferes with your daily activities for more than 14 days per month, talk to your doctor.
December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In the United States, one in four adults has a disability. Many people will experience a disability at some point in their lives. Disabilities limit a child or adult’s activities. These limitations can include difficulty walking or climbing stairs, difficulty hearing, seeing, concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
While “people with disabilities” can refer to a single group, this is a diverse group of people with a wide range of needs. Two people with the same type of disability can be affected very differently. Some disabilities are invisible or less visible.
Many adults with disabilities report frequent mental distress
According to a CDC survey, adults with disabilities report experiencing more mental distress than adults without disabilities.1 In 2018, an estimated 17.4 million adults with disabilities (32.9%) experienced frequent mental distress, defined as reporting 14 or more mentally unhealthy days in the past 30 days. Frequent mental distress is associated with unhealthy behaviors, increased health care utilization, mental disorders, chronic illnesses, and limitations in daily activities.1
During the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation, disconnection, disruptions to daily life and reduced health services have had a significant impact on the lives and mental health of people with disabilities.2
If the stress continues for days on end and interferes with your daily life, contact your healthcare provider. Free and confidential resources can also help you or your loved one connect with a skilled, trained counselor in your area.
It’s ok if you don’t feel well
Everyone responds differently to stressful situations. How you respond to a stressful situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic will depend on your background, your support system (such as family and friends), your financial situation, your health and emotional background, the community you live in, and many other factors.
People with disabilities and developmental delays may react more strongly to the stresses of a crisis, especially if they are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses (such as older adults and people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions).
Healthy ways to deal with stress
Know what to do if you are feeling unwell and worried about COVID-19. Contact your health care provider before you begin self-treating COVID-19. Know where and how to get mental health treatment, such as counseling or therapy (in person or via telehealth services), and other support services and resources. Take care of your mental health. Taking care of your mental health can help you stay calm and respond to urgent needs to protect yourself and your family. Stop watching, reading, or listening to news articles, including on social media. Hearing repeatedly about the pandemic can be upsetting. Take care of your body. Make time to relax. Try other activities you enjoy. Connect with others. Talk to people you trust about your concerns and feelings. Even during times of social distancing, people can maintain social connections and care for their mental health. Phone calls and video chats can help you and your loved ones feel socially connected and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Connect with community and faith-based organizations. While social distancing measures are in place, consider connecting online, on social media, by phone, or through mail.
Improving mental health for people with disabilities
CDC funds two national disability centers that focus on improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Special Olympics Inclusive Health Programs focus on improving the physical, social and emotional well-being of people with intellectual disabilities by increasing the participation of Special Olympics athletes and other people with intellectual disabilities in the health care, wellness and medical systems.
Special Olympics’ Strong Mindfulness program offers free one-hour mindfulness sessions to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Participants learn deep breathing techniques, body awareness and progressive muscle relaxation, mindful movement and guided meditation. They also receive a Strong Minds Activity Guide designed to develop coping skills for everyday life.
The National Center for Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD) aims to help people with disabilities and other chronic health conditions achieve health benefits by increasing their participation in all types of physical and social activity. NCHPAD’s MENTOR program, which stands for Optimizing Recovery through Mindfulness, Exercise, and Nutrition, takes a holistic approach to restoring, improving, and protecting health. The program breaks down health into three areas: physical, mental, and emotional. Through the program, people with new disabilities (e.g., spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury), new diagnoses (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease), or congenital conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, spina bifida) learn different ways to improve their lives through health and wellness activities.
Disability and Mental Health Resources
In celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, CDC invites you to join the global movement to change attitudes about and promote inclusion of people with disabilities.
References
Cree RA, Okoro CA, Zack MM, Carbone E (2020). Frequent psychological distress among adults by disability status, disability type, and specific characteristics – United States 2018. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Accessed November 17, 2020. https://idpwd.org/event/idpwd2020/
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