National Association of the Deaf

NAD President Andrew J. Lange announced that the National Association of the Deaf has released a new position statement on Mental Health Services for People Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. "This is a critical issue and the NAD is committed to improving mental health care service delivery systems for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The Board is grateful to all those who worked hard to develop this statement, particularly Randall R. Myers, Ph.D., LCSW-C, chair of the NAD Mental Health Committee," stated Lange.

Highlights include:

• An expectation that services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals be equal in quality and effectiveness to those provided to persons who are able to hear;

• An expectation that service providers be able to communicate directly with deaf and hard of hearing individuals and be aware of and sensitive to the cultural and linguistic factors of such individuals;

• An expectation that service providers understand the psychosocial impact hearing loss has on these individuals;

•The position that appropriate use of services and adaptive technology may be needed and is best identified and utilized by the consumer and his/her family members, including qualified and certified interpreters, assistive listening devices and real-time captioning services and tele-mental health care technology;

• A list of recommended state actions including the establishment of an advisory committee, the provision of a continuum of services, and the involvement of deaf and hard of hearing consumers and their families in the decision making process.

"We will be sharing this position paper with mental health providers, consumers, and advocates throughout the country. The NAD is committed to working with mental health systems and service providers to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals," commented Myers. The statement was produced by the NAD Mental Health Committee in coordination with State Directors of Mental Health and NAD staff.

"This position paper is another step in ongoing efforts of the NAD to promote equal opportunity for full participation in society for each and every deaf and hard of hearing individual."

The Position Paper is posted on the NAD website.