Dec 10, 2025
Human Rights Day 2025
ARC NI and Team TILII are celebrating Human Rights Day 2025
TILII Speaks Out for Mental Health Awareness Week
May 13, 2025
Mental Health Awareness Week with ARC and TILII!
TILII Speaks Out for Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week is an important time for everyone, including people with a learning disability, autism, and other support needs. That’s why we, the TILII Group, want to speak out and raise awareness about something that doesn’t get talked about enough – Mental Health and Learning Disability.
Forgotten and Left Behind
One of our members, Bethany, said:
“I have a learning disability, and I live in supported living. When I feel low or anxious, there’s nowhere for me to go. I think there should be somewhere people like me can go to be assessed and treated for our mental health. Then, when we feel better, we can come back home to our own place and keep living our life.”
Bethany is right, and she’s not alone. Many people with a learning disability feel low, anxious, lonely, or upset by things that have happened. Life can feel overwhelming.
But when we ask for help, there’s often nowhere to go that understands both our learning disability and our mental health.
Where Do We Go for Help?
We know that good mental health support helps people feel better, get treatment, and return to their lives.
But too often, people with a learning disability are:
- not offered assessments
- not listened to
- made to wait too long
- sent far away for treatment
This must change. We deserve support.
What TILII Thinks Needs to Change
We are raising our voices because we want things to get better.
Here’s what we believe should happen:
- Mental health services that include people with a learning disability, autism, and other support needs
- Safe places to go for help and treatment, without being sent far away
- Training for staff, so they understand how to support people like us
- Easy Read information, and we can help make it
- Quicker access to services, no more endless waiting
- More community support, to keep us connected and included
What’s Working Well?
Let’s not forget the good stuff. Some of us:
- Have support staff who listen and understand
- See doctors or learning disability nurses who treat our whole health, body and mind
- Get a lot from being part of the TILII group
“When I’m in my TILII group, I feel like I’m making a difference. That helps my mental health.” – Hilary
“In TILII, we feel valued, included, and proud. We are leaders, trainers, and campaigners. Being part of TILII builds our confidence, and confidence helps our mental wellbeing.” – Alex
What Helps Our Mental Health
We came up with some things that help us feel good and stay well:
- Talking to someone we trust
- Having routines. knowing what’s happening each day
- Being active, we love walking, swimming, and dancing
- Being creative, art, drama, music, and crafts
- Feeling safe and having a calm space to relax
- Having fun, laughing, games, and a cuppa with a friend
- Helping others, like when we do training or speak at events
- Being understood, not ignored, rushed, or treated like we don’t matter
Community Matters
This year’s theme is “Community” — and that’s really important to us.
We all need to feel like we belong, that we are safe, and that people care about us.
Being part of a group or activity can make a big difference. We are all involved in TILII, and some of us also go to:
- Day centres
- Church groups
- Charity shops
- Volunteering
- Community cafés
- Sports and drama groups
“Being part of a group like TILII helps keep you well in your mind. It’s good for your head and your heart.” – Joseph
But not everyone feels included. Some people feel lonely, left out, or scared to go out.
“Community should mean everyone. But sometimes we feel forgotten.”
Real Community = Real Inclusion
Community should mean:
- Inviting us to take part
- Supporting us to join in
- Celebrating our strengths
- Making sure we’re not just in the room, but truly involved
You Can Help Too
If you’re reading this, you’re already helping by learning more.
Here are other things you can do:
- Take time to understand people with a learning disability
- Use Easy Read information
- Make events and groups accessible
- Train your staff to support people with a learning disability, autism and other support needs.
- Listen without judging
- Speak up when you see something wrong
- Make your service welcome everyone
Final Thoughts
We don’t just want to talk about what’s wrong.
We want to talk about what’s possible.
TILII wants people to:
- See our potential, not just our problems
- Focus on our abilities, not our disabilities
- Include us in services, listen to us, and help us stay mentally well
We want to:
- Live full lives in our own homes
- Be part of our communities
- Be supported to thrive
One Last Thing…
At TILII, we say: “When we feel good in our minds, we shine in our lives.”
Let’s all work together to make sure everyone, has the support they need for good mental health.
Check out our Community Support Page on Mental Health for resources, downloads and useful links.