DSNSW Intellectual Disability & Mental Health: Considerations for Families, Professionals and Supports

Join Down Syndrome NSW for a free workshop with Dr. James Smith (Consultant Psychiatrist) & Katherine McNamara (Social Worker), from the NSW Statewide Intellectual Disability Mental Health Outreach Service (SIDMHOS).

This workshop is designed for parents, carers, and professionals supporting adults with Down syndrome. Dr. Smith will share insights from his work in both Australia and the UK, with a focus on:

How to help people with Down syndrome to have good mental health
Dementia and Ageing in people with Down Syndrome
Intellectual Disability and increased prevalence of mental illness
The risk of diagnostic overshadowing
The issue of discrimination and what you can do if you suspect your loved one is being discriminated against ·
Services to consider for support and referral pathways

About the Speaker
Dr. James Smith trained and worked in the UK as an intellectual disability psychiatrist before relocating to Australia in 2022. He now leads SIDMHOS, a NSW Ministry of Health–funded service that assists local providers across the state in supporting adults with intellectual disability where there are concerns about mental health and behaviour.

Kat McNamara is a social worker with experience in the disability and mental health sector. She has worked in child, youth and young adult mental health services and within disability accommodation services. She has led an intellectual disability mental health service before more recently becoming the coordinator and social worker of the Statewide Intellectual Disability Mental Health Outreach Service.

Event Details
📅 Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2025
⏰ Time: 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm
📍 Location: Croydon Health Centre (24 Liverpool Road, Croydon) or Online via Zoom
💲 Cost: Free for DSNSW Members

Are you a Member?

Membership is FREE. Sign up here: Become a Member – Down Syndrome NSW. We have lots of member-only events throughout the year as well as discounts for our conferences, workshops and training and other great member benefits soon to be announced!

Down Syndrome NSW is the peak body for Down syndrome in NSW. We work with pride to support people with Down syndrome to reach their full potential. Your support at our events makes our work possible. Where we can, we provide events for free or at cost recovery only. We greatly appreciate your support.