Editorial: Mental health and learning disabilities research and practice

It is with great pleasure that I write this editorial for “Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Research and Practice.” This special issue concentrates solely on topics and themes from research and practice identified as of crucial importance by those with an interest, (both personal and professional), in the issues and challenges faced by people with learning / intellectual disabilities and those who work in those services. This edition of the journal hopes to reflect the breadth and depth of work currently being undertaken in the learning / intellectual disability field and contains articles which are based on empirical research and/or on reviews of literature. This special issue features an interesting range of topics including studies carried out in health, education and residential service settings and theoretical discussions about serious crime, rights to relationships including sexual relationships, and secondary handicap.