A lot has been written about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s mental health and well-being.

It has affected many of us.

This blog introduces a website for people with intellectual disabilities. It could be helpful for people with intellectual disabilities struggling with anxiety, stress and depression.

My story on why I am using this program. In the last month I had some issues.

My daughter ended up with:

• A broken leg with screws in an ankle;
• Using a boot with crutches;
• Appointment support;
• NDIS Support and the list goes on.

My partner has had:

• Surgery 3 times;
• Issues with health;
• Problems with appointment support;
• To wear a boot using a wheelchair and the list goes on.

I also increased my work hours at Self Advocacy Sydney from 15 hours to 22 hours per week.

I started having panic attacks and saw my doctor.

Before I saw a specialist, the doctor told me about this website.

I am using this to improve my health and it’s great to use.

What is it?

Online self-help program for people:

• With mild to moderate depression;
• Anxiety;
• Stress;
• People with their mental health issues.

What is in the Intellectual Disability section online?

It has 5 sections; each section has 3 parts to it:

• Knowing feelings
• Breathe and relax
• Taming anger
• Having more fun
• Tracking unhelpful thinking

Positives to using this website

• Worksheets can be downloaded;
• Easy to use
• Get to do activities
• The information is accessible
• Supports your health and mind
• Great resources
• Each section has a scale so you know where you are to
• It says well done at the end of section
• Save your work and go back to it

When you finished a section it tells you what’s next.

Suggestions for improvement:

• The program needs to be accessible offline too.
• It is an online program and many people with intellectual disabilities are not able to get online.

• Let people know about the website.

Not many know about this website.

• The name of the section for people with intellectual disability should not include an abbreviation “ID” or “IDTWO”.
• Many people with intellectual disabilities do not like to be referred to by acronyms or abbreviations