Young deaf people neglected by mental health services
The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) has uncovered a concerning lack of mental health services available for deaf young people in Scotland, despite 40% of deaf people being likely to experience mental health issues in their youth.
The NDCS has joined forces with the Scottish Council on Deafness (SCoD) to launch the ‘Helping Hand’ campaign, backed by Mark Griffin MSP, who has championed Deaf issues since being elected to Parliament, and who is currently attempting to get his British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill onto the statute books. The campaign calls on the Scottish Government to provide mental health services for deaf children and young people in Scotland, and was officially launched in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 5 February.
Mark said:
“It is incredibly difficult for deaf people across Scotland to access vital services that the hearing population takes for granted, so it is vitally important that the Scottish Government takes appropriate action.
“40% Scotland’s 3,500 young deaf people will experience mental health problems and the fact that they do not have the same access to services as the hearing population shows a clear discrimination that must be addressed.
“I fully support the ‘Helping Hand’ Campaign, which calls on the Scottish Government to provide much improved services, and access to those services, for Scotland’s young deaf people. I also hope that fellow MSPs from across the political spectrum support the proposals laid out in my British Sign Language (BSL) Scotland Bill, which seeks to have all public authorities in Scotland provide comprehensive action plans on the work they will undertake to promote BSL and improve access to services to all of Scotland’s BSL users.”
Deafness itself is not a risk factor for increased mental health and emotional wellbeing issues, however being deaf in a hearing orientated world can lead to feelings of isolation and increased anxiety. It is widely recognised that deaf children experience a higher risk of psychological, behavioural and emotional issues than hearing children, something that is recognised by Anne Lennon, Director of the National Deaf Children’s Society in Scotland.
Anne said:
“Quite often a deaf child can feel very isolated and alone and without the right support they can often develop mental health problems.
“We want to see more chances for deaf children to have access to positive role models, a dedicated specialist Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for deaf children and young people who do need extra help and improved deaf awareness in all schools across Scotland. With the right support deaf children and young people can achieve whatever they want to achieve.”
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