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Understanding and Preventing Wrongful Hospitalisation for Neurodivergent Young People
10 October 2024
In recent years, the number of neurodivergent young people being hospitalised unnecessarily has increased at an alarming rate. This issue, often stemming from misunderstandings of neurodivergent behaviours or lack of proper support, leads to significant distress and trauma for both young individuals and their families. It’s a crisis that demands urgent attention and systemic change.
According to the latest data from NHS Digital, over 2,000 autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities are currently in inpatient mental health hospitals in England, with a staggering 67% of them being autistic. Even more concerning is that 93% of the 210 under-18s in these units are autistic. These figures reflect a troubling trend that cannot be ignored.
On 12th November 2024, Great Minds Together will be joining GovConnect in hosting a webinar to address these pressing issues, focusing on strategies to prevent wrongful hospitalisation. This event will offer practical insights into early intervention, effective communication between caregivers and professionals, and building strong community support systems.
Key Objectives of the Webinar:
1. Identifying current system challenges and gaps.
2. Establishing a collaborative sufficiency agenda between sectors to prevent unnecessary hospitalisation.
3. Recognising behaviours and meeting the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals.
4. Distinguishing between mental health and mental illness.
5. Partnering with communities to create comprehensive support for neurodivergent children and young adults.
6. Implementing equitable care strategies for the healthy development of diverse populations.
Great Minds Together, a leader in the sector, is sponsoring this webinar to emphasise the importance of systemic change and the role each of us can play in it. The session is designed for anyone passionate about supporting neurodivergent young people – from parents to educators to health and social care professionals. Together, we can advocate for the changes needed to improve outcomes for neurodivergent individuals.
Register today to be part of this critical conversation: https://govconnect.co.uk/webinars/webinar-12th-november-2024/
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Stephanie Davis Joins Great Minds Together as Ambassador
Working together to promote autism acceptance and understanding behaviour
02 April 2024
Soap star and singer Stephanie Davis has been appointed as an Ambassador for Great Minds Together (GMT), a leading not-for-profit provider of support for children and young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND).
Stephanie’s appointment is owing to her deep personal connection to GMT’s cause, as they work to increase awareness and understanding about behaviour as well as challenging the use of isolation in schools, highlighting its negative impact on young people.
As someone who has openly shared her journey with her autism diagnosis and her difficulties navigating her undiagnosed needs growing up and the impact that had on her mental health, Stephanie brings a wealth of empathy, understanding, and first-hand experience to this role.
Stephanie shared her experiences in an authentic and candid speech at GMT’s Charity Ball in 2023 which was incredibly impactful. It was her openness that cemented to GMT that they wanted to work more closely with Stephanie.
Commenting, Stephanie said “It is a privilege and an honour to become an Ambassador for Great Minds Together. Together we want to raise awareness about the challenges our young people are facing and to have more understanding about our children’s behaviour. To have compassion for our children who are often misunderstood and change our approach and mindset to these behaviours. Being an Ambassador means so much to me, as when I was a child I fell through the net, so growing up I struggled with life and not understanding why I was the way I was, or having the right help to help me navigate my way through this difficult thing called life. I’m looking forward to working with Great Minds Together to make sure no one else struggles like I did. It’s time for change and inclusion not isolation and ignorance.”
In her role as Ambassador, Stephanie will use her experience and platform to increase understanding and raise awareness about challenges that impact children and young people with SEND.
Emma Mander, Founder of Great Minds Together said “We are thrilled to welcome Stephanie to GMT. Her passion and dedication to supporting children and young people facing similar challenges resonate deeply with us at Great Minds Together. We are honoured to welcome Stephanie to our team and look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly make as our ambassador in 2024.”
Stephanie will take an active role in GMT’s Behaviour Awareness Week, that will take place from 23 – 29 September 2024. The awareness week was launched last year with the purpose to raise awareness and understanding of behaviour in young people and the dangers of sanctioning led behaviour policies in schools.
GMT advocate that all behaviour is a form of communication, and that we should be listening to what children and young people are trying to tell us, using a more therapeutic approach, which has proven benefits and positive outcomes.
Stephanie joined GMT at the North West Autism Hub on Tuesday 2nd April to celebrate Autism Acceptance Day.
