Primary Care and Mental Health Needs

There is evidence that the mental health needs of people with learning disabilities are not adequately met. Primary health care is seen as the way forward to ensure full consideration of psychosocial factors in the promotion of health care. The agenda for action includes improving mental health through general health promotion, surveillance and care. This paper explores how this evidence is being translated through professional and national policy initiatives into innovative mental health of learning disability services that build bridges between primary and specialist services and ensure a comprehensive strategy to meet the mental health needs of people with learning disabilities.