ERIC Number: EJ1468740
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Mar
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2322
EISSN: EISSN-1468-3148
Available Date: 2025-03-24
Understanding Barriers to Mental Health Supports during the Pandemic for Workers in Intellectual Disability Services
Madelaine Carter1,2; Nicole Bobbette1,3; Sabrina Campanella1; Yona Lunsky1,4
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, v38 n2 e70037 2025
Background: Workers in the intellectual disability sector encounter significant work-related stress impacting their mental health. This study explores the barriers faced by these workers when accessing mental health support during the pandemic. Methods: 1831 surveys were completed by intellectual disability support workers from Ontario, Canada between 2021 and 2023. This is a secondary analysis of questions focused on barriers to accessing mental health services. Results: On average, 45% of workers reported experiencing barriers to accessing mental health support each year. The cost of services and lack of time were consistently identified as barriers. Workers reporting barriers were more likely to be younger, have less than 10 years of sector-specific experience, and report significant mental distress. Conclusion: Sector-wide efforts to reduce barriers and improve the mental health of workers are critical to promote the wellbeing of the workforce and to support high-quality care for people with intellectual disabilities.
Descriptors: Employees, Intellectual Disability, Barriers, Mental Health, Access to Health Care, COVID-19, Pandemics, Costs, Time, Age Differences, Experience, Foreign Countries, Individual Characteristics
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 2Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 3School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; 4Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada