Mental health care is essential for everyone, especially for people who have disabilities.

 
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According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “Having a disability, whether it has been a part of [a person’s] identity from a young age, or developed/diagnosed later in life, is a risk factor for many mental health conditions.”

Unfortunately, it is often not easy for people with disabilities in Michigan to access the mental health care that they need. This is especially true for Medicaid recipients as Michigan’s behavioral health system spends funds that could be used for much-needed patient services on unnecessary administrative costs.

The unfortunate reality is that all of Michigan’s over 2.3 million adults who have some type of disability must navigate a world that has largely not been built with them in mind and a society in which they are often marginalized. The resulting challenges lead to inequities in many aspects of life, including access to mental health care, which can lead to poor health outcomes.

 
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These include:

Lack of accessible transportation

Language barriers 

Difficulty coordinating care with healthcare providers

Finding providers who have experience treating people with disabilities

Stigma/discrimination

Lack of adequate/affordable care

Lack of adequate/affordable insurance

Poverty and unemployment

Social isolation

More information about the barriers to mental health care for people with disabilities, including questions to ask medical providers, can be found on the National Alliance on Mental Illness website.

 

Speak Out and Speak Up

We can, and must, do better for people with disabilities when it comes to getting quality mental health care that is accessible, affordable, and responsive to the needs of people with disabilities so that they can live independently and participate fully in their communities. Let your elected representatives know what is on your mind regarding mental health care for people with disabilities in Michigan.

 

Mental Health and Behavioral Independent Living Resources

For help navigating resources, get in touch with your local Center for Independent Living using Disability Network Michigan’s Directory of Michigan Centers for Independent Living.

 
Two women conversing in a stylish, sunlit room; one is seated on a bench, the other in a wheelchair.

Wellness Tips for People with Disabilities

    • Eat a well-balanced diet

    • Drink plenty of water

    • Make getting a good night’s sleep a priority

    • Establish a nighttime routine to make the transition to sleep a healthy habit

    • Find healthy ways to cope and respond to frustration and limitation

    • Ask for help

    • Advocate for your needs

    • Exercise in a way that works for you and your body

    • Participate in an adaptive recreational activity

 

Adaptive Recreation

Don’t see an adaptive recreation activity near you? Contact your local CIL to see if they can help you find additional opportunities.