Mental Health Referrals From Disability Services: Support for Complex Needs
If you, or someone you care about, has a disability, then you may have at some point faced some overlapping mental health challenges. In fact, research shows that those with disabilities are at a higher risk of developing mental health conditions compared to the general population.1
This finding may come down to how people with disabilities often struggle to manage a range of issues at once. For example, they may be faced with physical challenges like mobility difficulties, with accompanying mental barriers – such as not having the capacity to make informed decisions for themselves. Alternatively, they may face a lack of understanding or stigma around their disability.
Therefore, it’s normal for people who use disability services to also experience challenges with their mental health – such as anxiety, depression, or isolation. The good news is that disability services can lead to referrals to mental health support if needed.
If you’re concerned that your mental health is struggling due to a disability, a mental health professional can ensure you receive the understanding and support you deserve. This page can also help, as it covers how mental health referrals from disability services work by exploring:
- The dual challenge of disability and mental health
- Disability services and vocational rehabilitation programs’ role in integrated care
- The disability and vocational services referral process
- Options for treatment after therapy referrals from disability programs
- Healing through therapy and the community
- Where to find professional support after referrals from disability services
Disability and Mental Health: A Dual Challenge
Disability and mental health are historically intertwined. For example, research shows that those with disabilities are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).2 These issues usually appear due to barriers often encountered by those with disabilities, such as;
- Employment challenges: Difficulties securing a job are often an unfortunately all too common experience for those with disabilities
- Social participation difficulties: Limited access to certain social spaces, transport challenges, and a lack of understanding can all impact the ability to maintain a thriving social life
- Limited access to mental health support: Lack of suitable transport to and from in-person consultations, and challenges making appointments if cognitively affected by a disability, can mean that accessing suitable support can be affected
To be even more specific, studies have shown links between certain disabilities and mental health conditions. For example, intellectual and developmental disabilities regularly co-exist with conditions like anxiety, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and behavioral difficulties.3
Based on this information, there’s clearly a crucial need for quality vocational rehabilitation programs for those with disabilities. These programs are support systems that help those with disabilities to enter or maintain work – or return to work – in a way that nurtures independence, livelihood, and well-being.
What’s more, beyond support for independence and employment, many of these vocational rehabilitation programs are starting to use mental health evaluations. These assessments can give staff insight into the state of a client’s mental health, providing them with some indication of what therapy or treatment programs would benefit them the most. We cover the referral process for vocational services in more detail next.
What Is Vocational Rehab Mental Health Support?
Disability services, in general, aim to improve the quality of life of people with sensory, developmental, mental, physical, or cognitive impairments. They do so by helping these people live more independently and become an integral part of society. This leads us to the role of vocational rehab mental health support in these services.
Vocational rehab is an essential part of the overall picture of disability services. As mentioned previously, it’s a valuable support system that aims to provide people seeking employment or re-entry into the workforce a fair pathway to do so.
However, the outcomes of vocational rehab can often depend on the intensity of a client’s mental health challenges. For example, if you or a loved one has severe depression, anxiety, or unresolved trauma, you can likely understand how maintaining motivation and thriving in the workplace could be challenging. Coupling such challenges with a disability could mean that success in the workplace might seem like an insurmountable hurdle to achieve.
For these reasons, many vocational programs focus on providing mental health support as part of their broader rehab approach. The services these programs include typically involve counselling or peer support groups, but if they don’t have on-site access to therapy, they may outsource referrals to professionals in the community.
Fortunately, research confirms how vocational rehab with a focus on mental health results in higher job retention and improved well-being.6
The Disability and Vocational Services Referral Process
Often, referrals are made by case managers or counselors who can link clients to therapy, inpatient care, psychiatric evaluations, and so on. However, where a referral goes depends on the person’s specific needs, severity of mental health challenges, and urgency of care.4
For this reason, the disability and vocational services referral process usually begins with a needs assessment. If it’s found that the client struggles with mental health issues, then referral pathways may also include crisis intervention services or a psychiatric evaluation, for example.
When conditions are severe or complex, referral pathways can sometimes include primary care providers, urgent psychiatric care centers, or local community crisis centers. If the person is a risk to themselves or someone else, inpatient referral may be the most suitable option.
Overall, the success of the referral process comes down to how it should be client-centred. For example, awareness of the client’s needs and the support available to them locally can ensure that a referral achieves the best possible outcomes. Additionally, research has shown that stronger links between disability programs and mental health providers can lead to improved treatment engagement and long-term success.5 Therefore, disability service involvement shouldn’t stop after referral – continued care and check-ins matter.
Therapy Referrals From Disability Programs: Options for Treatment
Referrals from disability services often lead to professional mental health treatment, including therapy. However, therapy options can vary depending on the person’s symptoms and needs. For instance, Mission Connection’s licensed counselors are trained in providing therapies such as the following after a referral:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): During CBT sessions, a therapist can help someone identify unhelpful thinking patterns and assist them in reframing these thoughts to produce positive outcomes. CBT is typically time-limited, focusing on helping people achieve goals in a specific number of sessions.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT is particularly helpful for people with overwhelming and intense emotions, focusing on skills such as mindfulness to regulate imbalance.
- Trauma-focused therapies: These help address post-traumatic symptoms that can often be the underlying causes for episodes of crisis.
- Group therapy: This form of therapy can help people with disabilities recognize that they’re not alone in their struggles. It can also assist them in learning coping skills from peers with similar lived experiences and is guided by a trained facilitator.
Each of these therapies could be included as part of a treatment package, such as inpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment is often appropriate when mental health conditions impact someone’s ability to look after themselves, or when their safety or that of someone else is at risk. This is often the case regarding urgent and emergency referrals.
The Role of Disability Services in Urgent and Emergency Referrals
When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, referrals aren’t as simple as booking an appointment with a therapist for a later date. Issues such as severe panic, suicidal ideation, or emotional breakdown may require urgent emergency mental health referrals. Disability services can usually make these referrals to crisis intervention teams, urgent care facilities, or psychiatric care units.
The most effective crisis responses include partnerships with local mental health services, such as hotlines or mobile crisis teams. These are useful on-hand options, ideally available near the client’s location so that immediate safety can be assured by qualified, caring people. Moreover, once they’re deemed safe from harm, these teams can connect the client to further long-term care.10
Inpatient Treatment After Disability Services Referral
In cases where symptoms of severe mental health issues are present, outpatient treatment may not be enough to guarantee safety and recovery. For those with suicidal thoughts, psychosis, or severely unstable mood, inpatient treatment after disability services referral may be more appropriate.
These inpatient programs provide people with more severe or urgent symptoms with a means to stabilize and feel safe by thoroughly assessing their mental health needs and providing structured treatment. They can be delivered in hospitals or residential centers and include 24/7 supervision and support, as well as medication management when necessary.
Note that disability services often continue to work with hospitals and residential care centres after referral to make sure that someone’s well-being continues to improve after referral. They may also continue to be involved in their care after they’re discharged from inpatient treatment and transition to the outpatient system.
Further, studies have shown that when vocational or disability counselors stay involved in aftercare, cases of relapse go down and long-term health outcomes improve.7
Residential Programs and Long-Term Care Options
While mental health conditions that pose an immediate risk to safety are best managed in inpatient treatment, residential programs may be suitable for people who need extended care. These people may have severe symptoms, but don’t require urgent hospitalization for their needs.
Residential treatment options after disability referrals offer longer-term support than inpatient treatment, often combining psychiatric treatment with therapy and life skills training.
A key benefit of residential care is that it’s 24/7, providing around-the-clock care. If you or someone you care about has ever needed residential care, then you’ll know how reassuring it is to be guaranteed a safe therapeutic environment during times of instability. In fact, studies have shown that residential treatment can vastly improve well-being outcomes and reduce emergency hospitalizations.9
Healing Through Therapy and Community
While this guide briefly discussed some of the different types of therapy available from disability service referrals, it’s also good to recognise the value in community services. For example, peer support groups can be an invaluable resource for people with comorbid mental health and disability needs.
Social inclusion is a great way of promoting healing in those with mental health struggles, and many people see benefits from activities that allow sharing and collaborating with others. This is because these settings encourage connection and belonging, which is a net positive for someone who feels isolated by their mental health challenges. They can also reduce stigma by allowing someone to see their struggles mirrored in others, normalizing their experiences.
Community resources may differ depending on someone’s location, but the following are some examples that could connect people to valuable assets in their area:
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Providing education, peer support, and advocacy resources
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Offering referral tools and treatment locators
- State vocational rehabilitation agencies: These frequently update lists of trusted community mental health partners
By connecting clients to these support systems, disability services can help reduce isolation and promote sustainable recovery.
Professional Mental Health Programs for Vocational Rehab Clients With Mission Connection
Fortunately, there’s a growing awareness of how employment outcomes are affected by mental well-being. In fact, many states fund mental health programs for vocational rehab clients, such as:
- Job coaching with mental health support: Where coaches are trained to address anxiety, social skills, and stress management
- Group therapy programs: Specifically designed for people in vocational rehabilitation.
- Peer mentoring: Connecting clients with others who have successfully managed both disability and mental health challenges
Studies suggest that these programs can improve confidence, reduce isolation, and contribute to higher rates of sustained employment.⁸ Mission Connection’s team of professionals works closely with disability services to provide training programs such as these based on someone’s specific needs.
Mission Connection: Integrated Mental Health Care for People With Disabilities
Hopefully, this article clarified the important link between disability services and care for mental health. If you or someone you care about has a disability with co-occurring mental health challenges, the experienced team at Mission Connection is here to help.
Our team provides varied, high-quality healthcare that is tailored to the needs of any and all. Whether your needs require immediate support or more long-term continued care, we tailor support to fit. We can also provide online telehealth services to accommodate your schedule. This flexibility allows you to receive care that fits seamlessly into your daily routine.
We can also liaise with disability services to help break down the barriers that someone may be experiencing. Moreover, we aim to help you or a loved one navigate the mental strain that may come along with this set of challenges.
By offering comprehensive medication monitoring alongside various treatments and therapies, Mission Connection can be a guiding light toward successful and sustained recovery. If you’re ready to explore our treatment options, contact us today or complete our confidential contact form for more information.
References
- World Health Organization. (2020). World report on disability. WHO Press.
- Hughes, K., Bellis, M., & Jones, L. (2016). Prevalence and risk of mental health conditions in people with disabilities: A systematic review. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(10), 908–922. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30250-5
- American Psychological Association. (2019). Disability and mental health fact sheet. https://www.apa.org/topics/disabilities/disability-mental-health-fact-sheet
- National Council on Rehabilitation Education. (2021). Best practices in vocational rehabilitation referral processes.
- Hagner, D., & Kurtz, A. (2018). Collaboration between disability and mental health services: Improving outcomes. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 48(1), 23–31. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-180928
- Bond, G. R., & Drake, R. E. (2014). Making the case for integrated mental health and vocational services. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 37(4), 259–262. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000090
- Green, A., & Estroff, S. (2017). Continuity of care after inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Psychiatric Services, 68(6), 577–584. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201600353
- Corrigan, P., & McCracken, S. (2015). Place, employment, and mental health recovery. Community Mental Health Journal, 51(4), 451–457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9837-7
- Salzer, M., & Baron, R. (2016). Residential programs for individuals with co-occurring intellectual disabilities and psychiatric disorders. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 9(2), 98–115. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2015.1137529
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Crisis services and urgent care for mental health. https://www.samhsa.gov/crisis-services
- Drake, R. E., & Goldman, H. H. (2016). Integrated care models for people with psychiatric and physical disabilities. Health Affairs, 35(6), 1118–1125. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0005
