In the United States, one in four adults—approximately 61 million people—lives with a disability. Within this population, adults with disabilities report experiencing frequent emotional distress nearly five times more often than adults without disabilities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research from the National Library of Medicine further notes that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at increased risk for co-occurring behavioral health conditions, including major depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, psychotic illness, and impulse control disorders. Despite this elevated risk, many behavioral health professionals receive limited training specific to this population, and care systems are often divided, even though emotional and physical health needs frequently overlap.
At KenCrest, these realities are not just statistics; they are part of everyday experiences. Angela Marshall, Director of Supprted Independent Living, regularly works alongside people who are navigating both disability and mental health diagnoses such as anxiety and depression. Five years ago, while serving as KenCrest's Director of Personal Support Network (PSN), Marshall supported several individuals who participated in the Happy Healthy Life program at Indian Creek Foundation. And the response was overwhelmingly positive.
"For many years, I would hear, 'Well, they're in supported living, so they should be able to manage their own mental health,'" Marshall said. "But that's not always true. Independence doesn't mean someone stops needing support."
Marshall recognized that emotional health plays a critical role in daily decision-making. Challenges such as loneliness, anxiety, low self-esteem, or depression can affect how people engage with others, make choices, and pursue their goals. She also saw that while staff were continually trained in new support strategies, the individuals receiving services were not always being given the same tools to understand and manage their own emotional well-being.
To address this gap, Marshall helped develop KenCrest's internal Happy Healthy Life program, an initiative designed to equip people with practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to advocate for themselves and manage their emotional health.
Happy Healthy Life is now a benefit of KenCrest's Supported Independent Living program and includes ten interactive modules that focus on:
- Understanding what it means to live a happy, healthy life
- Learning about mental health diagnoses
- Managing symptoms
- Building and maintaining relationships
- Using medication safely and effectively
- Navigating substance use responsibly
- Identifying relapse warning signs
- Coping with stress
- Managing other emotional and behavioral symptoms
- Learning how to speak up and self-advocate
“When I was looking into my strategic plan for the year, I was looking back on the people who were denied, and many of them had a severe mental health diagnosis that we could not address,” Marshall explains. “And for the couple of people that we had in the program with severe mental health diagnoses, we only supported them for less than a year because it was challenging. We’re always equipping the staff with new ways to help people cope, but we’re not necessarily equipping the people we support.”
In September of 2023, Marshall introduced the program to KenCrest staff alongside Vince Waskiewicz, the initiative's coordinator, and Diedre Thomas, a Supported Independent Living program manager pursuing studies in Behavioral Health. The presentation, held at the Giant Conference Center in Willow Grove, focused on how Happy Healthy Life could benefit not only the people supported, but also staff and families by creating shared language, understanding, and goals.
Happy Healthy Life is designed to help participants build confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and increase insight into their own emotional experiences. The program also encourages stronger relationships with behavioral health providers and supports individuals in recognizing symptoms early and seeking help when needed.
“It’s okay not to feel okay,” Marshall said. “This work can be uncomfortable, but it’s important. The Happy Healthy Life program reflects KenCrest’s commitment to being truly person-centered. It gives people the tools to take an active role in their own lives and work toward what a meaningful life looks like for them.”
For individuals living with both an intellectual disability and a mental health diagnosis, programs like Happy Healthy Life offer more than education; they offer dignity, agency, and hope. By addressing emotional wellness as part of whole-person support, KenCrest is helping ensure that people are not defined by their diagnoses, but empowered by their strengths.
If you have a mental health diagnosis and an intellectual disability and are interested in learning more about KenCrest’s services, please contact Autumn Miller at Autumn.Miller@KenCrest.org.
If you live in Pennsylvania and are experiencing severe emotional distress, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a free and confidential support service available 24/7.
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