Intellectual disabilities

In the developing world mental illness is seen as a curse from God. The difficulties of intellectual disability are compounded by neglect and fear.

There are an estimated 100 million people living with intellectual disabilities in the world. A combination of factors including inadequate pre and ante-natal care, malnutrition, malaria, heightened incidences of hydrocephalus, microcephalus and spina bifida mean most of these people are found in the poorer countries of the world.

Through community-based care programs, CBM is finding and enabling thousands of these people each year. Last year, we helped more than 24,000 people with special intellectual needs.