21/08/2025
This is not going to be a positive post, but I feel the need of vent some frustration, which I am sure is shared by many people in the neurodivergent community.
As we all know, ​across England, there is a significant lack of accessible and appropriate mental health services for neurodivergent people and individuals with learning disabilities. Many mainstream services are not equipped to meet the unique needs of these individuals, and there are often long waiting times to access the specialist support that is necessary. This creates a 'postcode lottery' where the availability of care is dependent on location.
​Furthermore, people are often required to be "ill enough" to receive support, which means many are forced to wait until their mental health has significantly deteriorated before they can access help. This can lead to crises, hospital admissions, and a worsening of long-term conditions.
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​The government continue to chose the option of cutting NHS funding for autism and learning disability services, which directly impacts the already-strained mental health provision. These cuts mean:
- ​Fewer specialists: cuts reduce the capacity to train and employ professionals with specific expertise in neurodiversity and learning disabilities.
​Reduced access to early intervention: early support is crucial for preventing mental health issues from escalating. With funding cuts, these preventative services are often the first to go.
- ​Increased pressure on families: without professional support, the burden of care often falls on family members, who themselves may experience significant stress and mental health challenges.
​This perfect storm of chronic underfunding, a lack of specialist services, and direct cuts to services is causing unimaginable harm to an already vulnerable population. We need urgent action to ensure that everyone, regardless of their neurotype or disability, has access to the support and care they deserve.
