About Voice

People with intellectual disability have the same mental health needs as anyone else.
But getting the right support is often harder.

The National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health has released a podcast episode about mental health care, access and what needs to change.

The episode includes clinical insight and lived experience from Rebecca Koncz and Rory Keyes.

Content warning: This episode discusses mental health care, including trauma, medical mistreatment and discrimination.

Watch on YouTube: buff.ly/PaFiQV0

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At the start of a new year, many of us set goals. Sometimes big ones. Sometimes small ones.

Isaiah is a member of our Down Syndrome Advisory Network. His story is about what can happen when people with Down syndrome are supported to work towards their goals and given the same opportunities as others.

In Isaiah’s words:

'Hi everyone! My name is Isaiah, and in 2019 I became the first ever School Captain with a disability at St Mary’s Unit.

It was a really proud moment for me. I wanted to show that people with disabilities can be great leaders too. We just need the same chances as everyone else.

Having Down syndrome doesn’t stop me from chasing my goals. It makes me strong, kind, and determined. I worked hard, helped my friends, and tried to make my school a happy place for everyone.

Now at work, I still do my best every day and keep breaking barriers. I want people to see that ability is stronger than disability.

We all deserve to be seen for what we can do. Not what people think we can’t.'

What’s a goal you’re proud of, or something you’re working towards this year?
Share it in the comments.

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In the latest edition of Voice – Physical and Mental Wellbeing, we speak with 76-year-old Margaret Curtain about living a full life.

Margaret shares how she looks after her physical and mental health, what makes her proud, and lots more.

Read Margaret's story, along with the rest of this edition of Voice: buff.ly/JvCqEpG

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The 2025 Online Art Competition Health Matters! is open until 16 January!

This competition is part of a project looking at National Health Research Priorities, led by people with lived experience.

The competition is free and open to non-professional artists who:

- are aged 18 years or older
- live in Australia
- identify as having an intellectual disability

Learn more and enter:
buff.ly/4SJ8EtL

Please share this post to help spread the word.

The competition is run by the Centre for Disability Studies and the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health.

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