MENTAL HEALTH INTRODUCTION

Deaf people who need to access mental heath services are faced with enormous communication barriers which may lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. The NID provides knowledge, services and information to contribute to the accessibility, equitability and appropriateness of mental health services for deaf people.

Positive mental health can be defined as:

Mental health is a condition of well-being in relation to self and others, characterized by such qualities as (a) positive self-acceptance, (b) accurate perception of others and the world, (c) stability and appropriateness in mood, (d) balance and purposiveness in behaviour, (e) dependable sense of identity and values, (f) adaptability to one's environment, (g) ability to engage in productive work and fulfilling love, and (h) commitment to a source of devotion beyond oneself. As such, mental health is an active process, not merely the absence of illness.
Standards for Mental Health Services working with Deaf patients

National mental health standards apply equally to hearing and Deaf patients. The standards outlined below are additional. They are designed to ensure that Deaf patients are treated with respect. Most of them concentrate on communication and culture.

Information should be available in South African Sign Language (SASL), and plain English. In particular, information on the Mental Health Act and patients’ rights should be readily available and made accessible.

All services should be able to communicate with Deaf people in the format of their choice.This may be in person with an interpreter or via an online interpreting service. As a minimum, services must be able to receive e-mail, SMS/text and fax, and these numbers should be promoted.

Whenever possible, Deaf patients should be treated in a culturally appropriate setting by staff fluent in sign language.