Keywords

Deaf community, communication barriers, interpreters, ASL therapist, audism, oppression

Abstract

The prolonged state of silence in which members of the American Deaf community dwell daily may be causing them to experience elevated levels of adverse mental health effects (Gryglewicz et al., 2017). To increase the accessibility of mental health services for suffering deaf individuals, anti-discrimination laws have been enacted throughout history (“Americans With Disabilities Act,” 2022; Horton et al., 2012; Schniedewind et al., 2020; Vernon, 2006). Despite such strides, more should be done to improve existing resources. Increasing the number of deaf professionals working in mental healthcare settings and educating hearing providers on the language and culture of the Deaf community can effectively minimize harmful communication barriers (Horton et al., 2012; Pollard, 1996; Schniedewind et al., 2020; Vernon, 2006). Educating deaf individuals on their rights and what resources are available to them can help provide better deaf/disabled-centered services (Mathos et al., 2011). Educating hearing individuals on the Deaf community through ASL courses and meaningful one-on-one interactions may promote advocacy rather than discriminatory audism (Bauman, 2004; J. Macedone, personal communication, February 24, 2022). These can all be effective ways to moderate the adverse effects of poor mental healthcare within the American Deaf community. Deaf individuals should be given equal access to mental healthcare to allow them to work towards the improvement of the adverse mental health effects to which they are prone.