Intellectual Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) is observed annually in March. In 2026, the SA Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) will focus on the theme “My Safety, My Right, My Grant: Understanding the Vulnerabilities of Young People with Intellectual Disability and their experiences in accessing social assistance”, with the aim of emphasising the rights of young people with intellectual disability (ID) to live safe and dignified lives, where they are included in society, and to access social assistance in the same way as other persons with disabilities.
Persons with ID are likely to experience higher poverty rates and face marginalisation, stigma, and violence; this specifically also includes young persons with ID.
Despite various instruments that protect the rights of persons with disabilities, including the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2015) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) (2006), young persons with ID continue to face multiple and intersecting vulnerabilities, such as exposure to violence (including sexual violence), abuse, barriers to employment, and limited participation in decision-making.
It is important to emphasise that abuse is never part of care, and violence against persons with intellectual disability is a crime, not a misunderstanding or an accident.” – Carol Bosch, Deputy Director at Cape Mental Health
Research shows that young persons with ID are two to six times more likely to experience sexual abuse than their peers without ID and less likely to report it. Since youth with an ID are at a heightened risk of being sexually abused, it is important that parents and caregivers be aware of the risk.
It is important to recognise that persons with disabilities are also vulnerable to being exploited due to their disability grants. Researchers state that, due to inequality, job scarcity, and poverty in South Africa, persons with ID who receive disability grants are often the breadwinners in their homes, resulting in the grant being used for household expenses.
In 2024, SAFMH consulted with its community-based partners (Mental Health Societies) as part of a research project that had been commissioned by the National Department of Social Development (DSD) to inform a new social assistance policy for the Child Disability Grant and Disability Grant. Feedback revealed long waiting periods, limited accessibility for persons with ID (including children), and a lengthy, confusing application process with little support available, particularly for non-English speakers and persons with ID.
When looking at challenges experienced by persons with ID, it is important to also acknowledge the important role of community-based mental health care services, as this type of care brings mental health services and support closer to where people live, study, work, and socialise.
Our call to action
SAFMH believes that young persons with ID deserve to live safe and dignified lives, where they are included in society. This means ensuring that they have fair and equal access to social grants, employment opportunities, and justice, and that they are free from abuse.
We believe that community-based mental health organisations have a vital role to play in protecting young persons with ID and addressing the vulnerabilities they face, while ensuring that essential mental health, support, and care services are provided at community level.” – Michel’le Donnelly, SAFMH Communications & Awareness Lead.
Whether it is assisting with disability grant applications, providing accessible legal assistance for those who have experienced abuse, educating young persons with ID on issues such as consent, providing life skills training, or facilitating access to employment opportunities, community-based mental health organisations are already supporting young persons with ID and ensuring their inclusion in society.
However, even more can be done if government departments would provide more sufficient funding and resources for community-based mental health. We specifically also call upon the National Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) to support the development and implementation of clear, accessible information and training about abuse and violence related to persons with disabilities.
We also call on the National Department of Social Development (DSD) to work with the DWYPD to sufficiently address the barriers, challenges, and gaps raised in the commissioned research study from 2024 (NOTE that the report on this study is still due for publication).
We also call on government to ensure the effective implementation of the National Mental Health Policy Framework 2023-2030, wherein it is stated that there will be an intersectoral approach when it comes to the inclusion of persons with ID “in general community life, such as access to: education and skills development; income generation opportunities for users, and reasonable accommodation provisions in the workplace” (page 26). SAFMH insists that all government departments commit to including youth with ID in this approach as well.
Throughout IDAM, we will share stories, quotes, and the lived experiences of young persons with ID. We will also raise awareness about the support services provided by our Mental Health Societies to young persons with ID.
*For further information, please refer to our IDAM Campaign Summary here.
For enquiries, please contact:
Michel’le Donnelly | CELL: +27 (0)79 799 6533 | EMAIL: michel’le@safmh.org
