Supporting people suffering from a “dual diagnosis” is the leitmotiv of the APEMH. In this sense, whether through training courses or dedicated events (April 2017 cross-border day, EAMHID congress in September 2017) and more recently a Thematic “White Paper” project and a documentary, APEMH has been coordinating several initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the various actors concerned.
In a context where different recent scientific studies (Bertelli, Rossi, et al., 2016 , Dawson, Shanahan et al., 2016 ) report an increased risk for people with intellectual disabilities to develop mental illness or psychiatric disorders, accessibility to mental health services is a relevant issue. Behind this question the reality can be very sensitive, even painful, and the way individuals are cared for insufficient or even inappropriate.
If in recent years concrete efforts have undeniably been made, what is the situation in Luxembourg today? What hold it back, what alternatives could be implemented?
Always concerned about the quality of life of supported people, APEMH has developed strong partnerships with physicians and mental health experts, set up a network for the exchange of good practices and fostered the training of its professionals. Actions that will all be extended to 2018. Through a documentary that is supported by the Great Duchess Charlotte, and a White Paper that will be presented in the next autumn, APEMH and its local and international partners wish to give voice to those who, on a daily basis, live through these situations, support people, welcome them, seek for solutions, adapt devices and test their limits. Yves Aubr?e, author of various films including “Habiter-Exister” (from the French association AFASER, partner in the ARFIE network) is responsible for the making of the documentary, which is scheduled for the end of spring 2018.