Browsing by Subject "inkluusio"

In this thesis I study special features related to the mental health of the people with intellectual disabilities and focuse on the mental health risks related to intellectual disability. I view disability from the perspective of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). This biopsychosocial model combines both the medical perspective and the perspective of the disability studies. Mental health risks related to intellectual disability can be divided into two categories: biological and cognitive factors, and social and societal factors. The conclusion of the thesis is that intellectual disability as a deviance of the development of the neural system sets an individual into different position than a person without disabilities according to mental health risks, and that social and societal risk factors continue increasing the risk to mental health problems significantly. Participation restrictions and the social stigma of the intellectual disability are themes that stand out from the social and societal factors. Discussion of the thesis considers options how to have an influence on the social and societal risk factors. Thesis suggests that the most important tool to prevent the mental health problems of the people with intellectual disabilities would be to have as inclusive society as possible.