From UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO: For Complete Post, Click Here…
Access to exercise, the outdoors and are powerful interventions that could improve declining mental health.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) struggled with their mental health during the COVID-19-induced lockdowns and subsequent restraints on community services, according to a new study published today in Psychiatric Services.
Researchers evaluated nationwide survey data and found the most significant stressors were loss of access to programs and activities, such as volunteering and jobs, that provide opportunities to socialize.
“Individuals who filled out the survey consistently indicated that access to exercise, access to the outdoors, to time with friends and family are things that would help enhance behavioral health,” says Jessica Sanders, MD, lead author and assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “Ranking these things higher or as high as access to behavioral therapy means that it’s as important to them.”
