About the Intellectual Disability and Depression: Talking Therapies programme
Depression is just as common a problem amongst people with an intellectual disability as it is in the general population, with a point prevalence of about 5% [1]. However, people with intellectual disabilities and depression can have difficulty getting access to the talking therapies they need. For this reason, the NICE guidance produced in 2016 outlined that existing, effective therapies should be adapted for people with intellectual disabilities.
This programme introduces two therapies that have been adapted and carefully tested in recent research – Behavioural Activation and Guided Self-help. The elearning sessions are aimed at health and social care professionals with experience of delivering psychological therapies to people with intellectual disabilities.
The programme has been developed at the University of Glasgow in collaboration with the University of Warwick, Lancaster University, Bangor University and Health Education England.
Each session should take approximately one hour to complete. The session uses a number of approaches, including films of the therapies, to give the learner background information about the adapted behavioural activation therapy called ‘BeatIt’ and an adapted, guided self-help intervention called ‘StepUp’. The learner will also learn the preparations they need to make for delivering the therapies, along with knowledge of some of the main issues that can arise when delivering therapy.
When completing the programme, the learner can download the ‘BeatIt’ and ‘StepUp’ manuals and materials. It is hoped that with appropriate supervision and continuing professional support, those who complete the modules will go on to gain the skills and confidence to deliver the interventions as part of their routine practice.
Meet the team
Andrew Jahoda
Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
Craig Melville
Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
Sally-Ann Cooper
Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
Chris Williams
Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
Richard Hastings
Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research, University of Warwick
Chris Hatton
Centre for Disability Research, Lancaster University
Dave Dagnan
Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Lancaster University
Robert Jones
School of Psychology, Bangor University
How to access
In order to access the Intellectual Disability and Depression: Talking Therapies programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.
To view the Intellectual Disability and Depression: Talking Therapies programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access elfh Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.
To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Intellectual Disability and Depression: Talking Therapies programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub.