Huntington’s in Mind: Our work with mental health professionals in Wales
In April, our policy and public affairs team gave a presentation at Royal Glamorgan Hospital to senior mental health doctors from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. We highlighted the challenges that people with Huntington’s face in getting effective mental health support. We were joined by clinicians from the South Wales Huntington’s disease clinic, who gave an overview of their service. It was a useful opportunity to help develop links between specialist clinicians supporting people with Huntington’s disease and community mental health professionals.
Also in April, we gave a presentation at a Royal College of Psychiatrists event, alongside Dr Alberto Salmoiraghi, on the mental health needs of people with Huntington’s disease. Dr Salmoiraghi is a consultant psychiatrist, who leads the North Wales Huntington's clinic. We were able to increase awareness of Huntington’s among NHS mental health professionals who don’t often treat people with rare, neurological conditions.
In March, we hosted an exhibition stand in Cardiff at the British Association of Social Workers’ Cymru annual conference. We talked through our guide we’ve developed with the BASW for social workers on Huntington’s disease and how to put this into practice. The guide provides essential information to social workers on how to work sensitively with families affected by Huntington's disease, being aware that the person may have mental health problems, as well as difficulties thinking and processing information.
In other news, our mental health report has now been published in Welsh. You can read here about the experiences of people with Huntington’s disease of the mental health system and our recommendations for change.