The Mainstreaming Medical Care Program of The Arc of New Jersey is pleased to present the 2023 webinar series:
Exploring Mental Health and Behavioral Health Challenges in People with IDD
This 5-part webinar series will examine the issue of dual diagnosis - co-occurring mental health and/or behavioral health disorders in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Topics will include diagnosis, treatment options, best practice, etc.
Join us the 4th Tuesday of every month, February through June, for this informative series.
Click here to see more and register.
Dual-Diagnosis Resources
Crisis Handbook
How to cope when an adult loved one with a developmental disability experiences mental health or behavioral issues. The purpose of this handbook is to inform and empower families so that they can more effectively advocate for an adult relative with a dual diagnosis during a mental health and/or behavioral crisis.
Crises are a Family Affair
Lucille Esralew, Ph.D. Clinical Administrator SCCAT & S-COPE, Trinitas Regional Medical Center
In a mental or behavioral health crisis, we all tend to focus on one identified individual. However, I would like to suggest that this is a limited and not particularly helpful approach because crises affect all members of the family.
For the purpose of our discussion we will follow John, a hypothetical individual, age 24, who receives DDD services and who has an intellectual disability as well as a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. John's mother, Mrs. Smith, is John's primary caregiver and support person. According to our usual thinking and practice, if John has acted unsafely, resulting in his need for crisis services or hospitalization, all services leading up to, during and following hospitalization would focus on John. For the purpose of our review, all members of John's family are affected by events leading up to crisis, during crisis and in the aftermath of a mental health or behavioral emergency. Read more.
