Sarah-Jane Nii-Adjei's presentation from Open Forum Events' Living Well with Autism conference

1. We won't give up until everyone experiencing a
mental health problem gets both support and respect.
This includes people who experience comorbidity and
are from marginalised communities within society such
as people with autism who are also affected by mental
health issues
Equality Improvement Team
“Removing barriers to services”

2. Mental Wellbeing Toolkit
“To develop an approach to working with and supporting the
mental wellbeing of people on the autistic spectrum. Share
this with Local Minds and external organisations to ensure
mental health services are accessible and responsive to their
needs”

3. Why we invested in this
• 70% at risk of developing mental health problem
• While gov’t have strategies in place, in reality services are either not up
and running or inadequate
• Few mental health services providing specialist support for adults on the
spectrum

4. How do we inform best practice
• Sharing our experiences
• Getting feedback on what we do
• More importantly consulting with people living with autism
• Few studies ask for their views

5. Did it work?
Huge amount of feedback gathered including
employment issues, social skills, interaction with
the police and social services, mental wellbeing,
access and barriers to services and much more!

6. Focus on the
strengths
relating to my
autism

7. Emotional Regulation Tool
Show me how you’re feeling?
Happy
Hopeful
Calm
Trust
Acceptance
Amazement
Suprise
Distraction
Boredom
Confusion
Anger
Fear Rage
Disgust
Loathin
gGri
ef
Sa
d
In Control
Not in Control
Emotion How it makes
me feel
What do I do as
a result
How Often
Anger Irritable, grumpy Rocking forward
and backwards.
everyday
Calm
Happy Energised,
excited
Talk to others occasionally
Sad
Courage
Fear
Shame
Guilt
Boredom

8. Part 2- Recognising my Triggers
• Step 1- Recognising my Triggers
• These are the things that trigger me
• Q: What does that suggest you want or need?
Step 2- Recognising early signs of my
sensory overload
These helps me notice when my thoughts,
feelings and behaviour start to change
A: This is how I think, behave and feel
when situation becomes uncomfortable
Step 3- Tailored support
These are what I can do when I’m triggered
A: This is what others can help me to do to prevent
things getting worse?

9. Part 3- Stay well Support Plan
These are the things that help me stay well These are the kind of staff support I value and
need
These are some new things I would like to try to
stay well

10. Future plan & Developments
Based on response received from wider public so far, there is a clear
need for further training and to make more information available
• Awareness raising to influence Local service improvement
• Training for other agencies (wider benefit locally)
• Awareness raising targeting both professionals (e.g. GPs) and
individuals
• Political level, to influence positive change
Act on these 3 levels by creating resources that are meaningful,
practical and accessible

11. Tell us what you think
Mind.org.uk/Equality
Contact Sarah-Jane at
s.nii-adjei@mind.org.uk
or
Equality@mind.org.uk