Toronto, ON, September 29, 2025 — A new study from researchers in Ontario highlights a troubling trend: individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) account for more than one in five patients who have remained in mental health beds for more than a year. The findings, released today, draw attention to ongoing gaps in community supports, discharge planning, and equitable access to care.
Key findings
The study shows that IDD patients represent a disproportionate share of long-stay inpatients compared with their share of the general population living with IDD. The researchers emphasize that the length of stay is not solely a medical issue but reflects a complex mix of factors, including behavioral health needs, communication barriers, housing instability, and limited availability of IDD-friendly community supports that can safely manage or transition patients back into the community.
Why this happens
Several contributing factors are discussed, including gaps in specialized inpatient beds equipped to provide IDD-informed care, shortages of trained staff, and the high demand for supported housing options. The study notes that some discharge plans require consent and decision-making capacity considerations that can slow transitions. Additionally, diagnostic oversimplification and stigma may obscure the true needs of people with IDD, delaying appropriate placement outside hospital settings.
Policy and care implications
Experts urge policymakers to invest in IDD-competent care, including staff training, integrated treatment teams, and reform of discharge planning protocols. Expanding community-based supports, such as intensive case management, respite services, and supported housing, could reduce unnecessary stays and promote safer, more dignified care in the community. The researchers also recommend improving data collection on IDD within mental health systems to monitor progress toward equity goals.
What this means for patients and families
For people with IDD and their families, the study underscores the need for rights-respecting care that prioritizes person-centered planning. Families report that longer stays in hospital can disrupt routines and limit access to familiar supports. The report calls for closer involvement of caregivers in discharge decisions and for care models that blend mental health treatment with IDD supports in a seamless way.
Next steps
Researchers plan further work to identify hospital-level practices that shorten unnecessary stays without compromising safety. They emphasize collaborative efforts between hospitals, community agencies, and government to design pathways that keep individuals with IDD in supportive, least-restrictive settings. In the meantime, the study serves as a stark signal that long-stay psychiatric beds in Ontario may reflect deeper inequities that require urgent attention.
