Mental health experiences and deafness: personal and legal perspectives.
The following study describes the experiences of Ms. Jan DeVinney, a woman with deafness, who voluntarily admitted herself to the psychiatric unit of a general hospital seeking help for depression. Presented are her self-reported, detailed experiences that reveal many of the accessibility barriers that face deaf people within mental health settings. Also included are the provisions of a nationally significant consent decree emanating from DeVinney and the United States of America vs. Maine Medical Center. Within the landmark consent decree are contained specific hospital reforms illustrating what is required to achieve inclusive mental health services for deaf and partially hearing people. The study also reveals broader issues surrounding mental health treatment that are relevant to services recipients, whether deaf or hearing.
DeVinney
Janet
J
Division on Deafness, at the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Augusta, Maine, USA. Jan.A.DeVinney@state.me.us
Murphy
Stephen
S
D003638:Deafness / Q000523:psychology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction