Disability
What is disability?
Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments, which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
How does disability affect mental health?
People with a physical disability or physical health problem are more likely to experience a mental health problem. In contrast, people with mental health problems are more likely to experience physical health problems.
- More than 15 million people - 30% of the UK population - live with one or more long-term conditions, and more than 4 million of these people will also have mental health problems.
- People with long-term physical conditions are likelier to have lower well-being scores than those without.
- People with cancer, diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure are at greater risk of a range of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and PTSD.
- Of people with severe symptoms of mental health problems, 37.6% also have long-term physical conditions. This compares with 25.3% of people with no or few symptoms of a mental health problem.
Support
There are plenty of organisations throughout the UK that can help those people with disabilities. If you know of any that aren't listed here, please let us know by clicking here.
Disability Rights UK
Disability Rights UK is the UK’s leading organisation led by, run by, and working for disabled people.
We work with Disabled People’s Organisations, public bodies, businesses and Government across the UK to influence regional and national change for better rights, accessibility, benefits, quality of life and economic opportunities for Disabled people.
Scope
We're Scope, the disability equality charity in England and Wales. We provide practical information and emotional support when it's most needed, and campaign relentlessly to create a fairer society.
That's Mental Mate!
