Every year on October 10, World Suicide Prevention Day reminds us of the importance of talking about mental health. But there’s one conversation that still doesn’t get enough space — the mental health of people with disabilities.
At Speshally, we work closely with people across the disability spectrum, and we’ve seen firsthand how mental health and disability often intersect in ways that are overlooked.
It’s a tough reality: while living with a disability brings its own challenges, adding the stigma around mental health can make someone feel doubly invisible.
The Double Stigma is Real
For many people with disabilities, the challenges are layered:
● Social isolation
● Lack of access to mental health professionals who understand disability
● Limited workplace accommodations
● Misunderstandings around invisible disabilities like chronic pain or learning differences
When these realities meet mental health stigma, people are left feeling unseen, unheard, and unsupported.
Inclusion Starts with Awareness
Not all disabilities are visible. Not all mental health struggles are obvious. True inclusion means being sensitive to what you can’t always see.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 calls for equal access to health services mental health included. But the real difference happens when workplaces, families, and communities put that into action.
How Workplaces Can Help
Companies can be powerful allies:
● Confidential Support — Provide counselling through accessible Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
● Respectful Language & Behaviour — No labels, no judgment. Promote empathy through awareness training.
● Flexible Work — Recognise that mental health and disabilities can affect energy, focus, and routine.
● Sensitisation Workshops — Train managers and HR to better understand and support employees.
We’ve worked with organisations to combine disability inclusion and mental health awareness training — and the shift in workplace culture is visible almost immediately.
It’s Not Just About Work — Community Matters
Support doesn’t only happen in offices. It’s built in everyday relationships:
● Family & Friends — Check in regularly, without assumptions.
● Peers — Listen without judgment; skip the unsolicited advice.
● Citizens — Advocate for accessible healthcare and inclusive education.
A Shared Responsibility
Mental health challenges are personal. There’s no single solution that works for everyone. But with open conversations, respectful support, and intentional action, we can start breaking the silence and the stigma.
Final Thought
Mental health inclusion isn’t a favor it’s a necessity. For someone with a disability, the right support can mean the difference between just surviving and truly thriving.
When we look beyond the label, when we give physical and mental well-being the same attention, we don’t just create inclusion we create belonging.
Speshally’s Commitment
At Speshally, we work with companies, communities, and institutions to design programs that address both disability and mental health inclusion.
From workplace sensitisation workshops to accessible mental health support frameworks, we help turn good intentions into lasting change.
📩 [Reach out to us] | 🤝 [Work with Speshally] | 🎧 [Listen to The Ability Podcast]