title: Perspectives of people who are deaf and hard of hearing on mental health, recovery, and peer support.
abstract: This qualitative study sought to better understand the experiences of deaf and hard of hearing individuals with accessing recovery-oriented mental health services and peer support via a focus group and interviews. Cultural brokers were used to facilitate culturally-sensitive communication with study participants. Findings indicate that access to adequate mental health services, not just recovery-oriented and peer support services, is not widely available for this population, largely due to communication barriers. Feelings of isolation and stigma are high among this population. Public mental health systems need to adapt and expand services for various cultural groups to insure recovery.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Policy and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA, 01545, USA, linda.cabral@umassmed.edu.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muhr
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Savageau
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003638:Deafness / Q000523:psychology*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D010379:Peer Group; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping