ABSTRACT
Women with congenital impairments had also attributed experiences of mental distress to factors such as family bereavement or the loss of significant loved ones or relationship difficulties and highlighted how, as disabled women they could be subject to the same range of life experiences as able-bodied women and these experiences could potentially affect their mental well-being in much the same way as it would affect that of able-bodied women. Before revisiting the barriers which many women had experienced in accessing mental health support, within the context of looking at future changes believed to be needed, a short consideration of the issue of stigma may be pertinent. The introduction of disability equality training and teaching around the social model of disability and its principles, within the courses syllabuses of mental health professionals it was firmly believed would lead to an improved understanding and awareness of issues relating to disability and impairment and in turn a wider knowledge base overall.
