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Objective: Mental health care professionals are poorly trained in intellectual disability, and workers in intellectual disability (ID) services are similarly unskilled in mental health care principles. Consequently, the mental health needs of adults with intellectual disabilities and psychiatric disorders are not being adequately met. Method:A three day training programme was designed to redress this situation and encourage these separate services to work collaboratively. The programme was evaluated with 30 participants drawn from MH and ID services.Results: Evaluations conducted pre-and post-training indicated increases in participants' confidence in working in and knowledge of DD, and ability to complete study assessments. Post training letters written by participants to their managers indicated their commitment to educate their co-workers in DD, learn more about DD, change their clinical practices, and collaborate with staff from the other service. Conclusions:This preliminary evaluation suggested the promise of positive outcomes for people with DD following joint training of staff from ID and MH services.Prevalence rates of mental health disorders in adult populations with an ID are reported to range from 27% to 71% 3,4 and up to 80% within institutionalised populations. 5 In comparison, in studies with similar methodologies involving the general population, prevalence rates from 18% 6 to 32% 7 have been found. Reports in the literature indicate that, while people with an ID experience the same range of mental health problems as the general population, they are at higher risk than their non-disabled peers. 3,4,8 Service provision for people with a DD has been considered one of the most neglected health care specialties in Australia. [9][10][11] Training staff to provide appropriate and accessible quality mental health services is paramount, and, because of the dual nature of the disability, would seem to require interagency collaboration. According to Pratt and Gill, 12 the potential for such collaboration between professionals is enhanced by training that encourages key agencies to build positive relationships.

Service systems in health and community agencies are struggling to deliver mental health services to adults with an intellectual disability. Many professionals feel ill equipped to assess and treat mental health disorders in this population. This Australian case study describes the collaborative effort required to meet the complex health needs of a client with an intellectual disability and the needs of her family, and the role played by a specialist, Disability Health Service. The key elements of this successful interagency collaboration are outlined and include good communication, adequate resourcing, and a willingness to resolve dynamic tensions and learn from each other.

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