title: Mental health of deaf people.
abstract: Deafness is a heterogeneous condition with far-reaching effects on social, emotional, and cognitive development. Onset before language has been established happens in about seven per 10,000 people. Increased rates of mental health problems are reported in deaf people. Many regard themselves as members of a cultural minority who use sign language. In this Review, we describe discrepancies between a high burden of common mental health disorders and barriers to health care. About a quarter of deaf individuals have additional disabilities and a high probability of complex mental health needs. Research into factors affecting mental health of deaf children shows that early access to effective communication with family members and peers is desirable. Improved access to health and mental health care can be achieved by provision of specialist services with professionals trained to directly communicate with deaf people and with sign-language interpreters.
authors.affiliation: Health Centre for the Deaf, Institute of Neurology of Senses and Language, Hospital of St John of God, Linz, Austria. johannes.fellinger@bblinz.at
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fellinger
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Holzinger
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pollard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003144:Communication Barriers; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000150:complications; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D055815:Young Adult