Like any group, the deaf community is affected by mental illness. Compared with the mainstream population, however, deaf people often face extra challenges when seeking treatment. NAMI talked with psychologist Robert Pollard, Ph.D. professor of psychiatry at the University of Rochester and director of the Deaf Wellness Center, to learn more about the past, present and future of mental health care for deaf people.
Persons who are Deaf or Hard of hearing rely very much on their eyes. It is important to schedule yearly checkups with an eye doctor to be sure that your eyes are healthy and to be sure that you know about any early signs of eye disease. An eye doctor can screen for early signs of changes in your eyes related to diabetes or high blood pressure. They can check for signs of glaucoma or retinitis pigmentosa that can lead to visual loss. Your eyes are important! Take good care of them!
The Perspectives section was added to give viewers an opportunity to post opinions, important papers and life perspectives. Articles are subject to review by the HealthBridges editorial committee.
Achieva offers information about how to access dental services for persons who need specific accommodations including American Sign Language. ACHIEVA brochure: Dental English Version (PDF file) If you cannot open or see the PDF document above, you will need to download and install the Plug-In.
Most children who are Deaf or hard of hearing are born into families with hearing parents. Therefore parents are often not prepared to deal with the issues and decisions that they must face about their child. Decisions about the best school, language, amplification modality, or peer group for the child can be daunting.
Get involved!
Join a support group or create one!
It can really help you and your child and family to hear what others have been through.
Therapy, social activities, and medicine can help
Are you an alcoholic? A drug addict. Are you frustrated, struggling or having problems due to the alcohol and/or rugs in your life? Are alcohol, cocaine, pot or pills messing up your family, your work, your everyday life? Do you wonder what you can do or where you can go to find help? One place … Read more
The purpose of this Fact Sheet is to inform deaf and hard of hearing consumers about mental health care and how they can go about getting services. Obtaining mental health care is a very personal and individual decision. It is very important that consumers are aware that they can ask for what they need. If … Read more
Have you ever watched a television show or been at a seminar and you just missed some of the words? Hard of hearing individuals often mishear information on a daily basis. Don’t you wish there was a way to support hearing in noisy environments so that you didn’t miss the message – or the comedic … Read more
Support Group for Newly Diagnosed infants and babies with hearing loss July 21, 9:30 – 11:30: Baby & Parent Group. An education and support group for parents and their infants with hearing loss. DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, 6202 Alder Street, Pittsburgh 15206. Contact ll@depaulinst.com or call 412-924-1012.