title: Availability of Mental Health Services for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Deaf-Blind.
abstract: A survey of state mental health agencies found that a majority have no specific policy or procedure regarding how to provide mental health services to persons who are deaf or who are deaf-blind. Agency representatives report that staff lack knowledge of how to provide mental health services to persons who are deaf-blind and the agencies lack qualified interpreters. They recommend training for social workers and counselors to address best practices in working with people who are deaf-blind concerning communication methods and strategies, physical interaction, cultural issues, everyday life, sensory deprivation, ethics, use of an interpreter, and other general issues.
authors.affiliation: a The National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision , Mississippi State University , MS , USA.
authors.forename: Michele C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: McDonnall
authors.affiliation: a The National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision , Mississippi State University , MS , USA.|b Social Work Program, Department of Sociology , Mississippi State University , MS , USA.
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crudden
authors.affiliation: a The National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision , Mississippi State University , MS , USA.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: LeJeune
authors.affiliation: a The National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision , Mississippi State University , MS , USA.
authors.forename: Anne Carter
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Steverson
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D054062:Deaf-Blind Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003638:Deafness / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: Access; accommodations; blind; deaf; deaf-blind; dual sensory loss; mental health; service providers