Mental Health Issues for the Deaf
By Silke Parl, Psy.D.
Deaf, hard of hearing, late deafened and deaf-blind children and adults face the same mental health challenges as the hearing population, however people with hearing loss experience greater difficulty in accessing health and social services, including mental health services. Over the past 10 years, more mental health services have been provided for the deaf and hard of hearing population and communication access has become easier to obtain. Despite this progress, there are still not enough mental health providers who understand the unique challenges this population faces.
It is understandable that in the absence of appropriate communication accommodations, people with hearing loss are far more reluctant to seek access to medical services. Having a mental illness carries an additional stigma. The most significant problems for deaf/HH in dealing with mental health issues are being able to communicate their symptoms effectively to their mental health provider and locating a provider that is knowledgeable on deafness and issues relating to hearing loss.
Deaf/HH people can experience adjustment and grief issues, substance abuse problems, depression, and anxiety. Sometimes the onset of hearing loss can cause stress, anxiety and other mental health issues. Sometimes being born deaf or hard of hearing can cause anxiety or panic for children with hearing loss. The cause of feelings of loss, depression, low self-confidence, and anxiety vary from person to person. They may be due to life experiences, the parents attitude toward a deaf/HH child and or other people's perceptions.
There are several resources for mental health services in Florida that vary by location. A good place to start is by contacting the closest Deaf Service Center and asking for a referral to a mental health counselor who either signs or is interpreter friendly. Many businesses are not aware that they are required by the American Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide and pay for an interpreter when one is needed.
The following website is a listing with contact information for Florida Deaf Service Centers that are members of the Deaf Service Center Association: www.fldsca.org.
There are also two residential programs in Florida for deaf children struggling with behavioral and emotional problems.
Tampa Bay Academy in Riverview, FL
Some areas in the state have outpatient services:
Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL (305)355-8059, (305)355-8066 (tty)
STEP Program - Adult Day Treatment (727)524-4464 x1402
Additional services can be located at www.pecfla.org/mentalhealth.htm