Dialectical behavioral therapy informed treatment with Deaf mental health consumers: an Australian pilot program

Abstract

While labor intensive, the process of developing a DBT informed treatment program for Australian Deaf mental health consumers appears to be beneficial for this group. Culturally valid, objective measures of skill attainment need to be developed and further studies comparing different adapted therapeutic approaches would be useful.

Assessing Fitness for Trial of Deaf Defendants

“…Although legal terms and There is significant variation in language literacy (sign language and written English) in the deaf population Up to 90% of deaf children are born to hearing families Auslan is not the same as signed English. It is a language in its own right Deaf people often have lower written language comprehension than hearing counterparts Deaf people can have reduced opportunities for incidental learning Glickman and Gulati (2003); Pollard (2009);Johnston (2004) & Davidson et. al.…”

Moving forward with dignity: Exploring health awareness in an isolated Deaf community of Australia

“…It may also lead to low self-esteem, symptoms of anxiety, depression and greater mental health issues, leading again to poor healthcare access and a greater risk of poor health. 3,6,8,12,[14][15][16] There have been a number of national and international studies concerning the health and social needs of the Deaf. 5,11,[17][18][19][20][21] However, there remains very little research within the Deaf community and little understanding the Deaf community's knowledge, perspectives, and beliefs about general and mental health issues in Tasmania, Australia.…”

“…1,2 Auslan is a unique language, based on British Sign Language, which has its own distinct sentence structure, grammar and cannot be spoken or written. 6,7 With this distinctive language, the Deaf do not see themselves as having a disability, but rather as having a different way of communicating. 6 Auslan is an independent language, but continues to be influenced by English, which is a second language for many Deaf.…”

“…6,7 With this distinctive language, the Deaf do not see themselves as having a disability, but rather as having a different way of communicating. 6 Auslan is an independent language, but continues to be influenced by English, which is a second language for many Deaf. There is a misconception that the English written word is well understood by the Deaf.…”

Misconceptions of the Deaf: Giving voice to the voiceless

“…These constructions produce further misconceptions, leading to prejudice and sometimes, discriminatory practices (Foss, 2014;McKee, 2008). The social injustice and prejudicial treatment experienced by many of the Deaf in a hearing world (see Barnett et al, 2011;Davidson, Cave, Reedman, Briffa, & Dark, 2012;Sheppard & Badger, 2010) is a product of the marginalisation of Deaf culture.…”