Information for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Welcome

This site provides information about mental and emotional wellness for people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. People from all cultures have mental and emotional disorders, and people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing are not immune to these issues. Some disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are about as common in the Deaf/HoH community as they are among hearing people. Other mental and emotional problems more frequently trouble people who are Deaf/HoH. The Clearinghouse is run by people who have been diagnosed with mental disorders. We aim to help improve services and supports for our peers, and to remove social barriers, such as fear of people who have mental illness, so we can all live full and meaningful lives.

Web Clips

Please feel free to view our Web clips in American Sign Language (ASL) on issues related to mental health. We hope to expand this library both with professionally-produced clips and with ASL clips submitted by visitors to the site—especially those who have been diagnosed with mental and emotional disorders. By sharing your stories, you can communicate to others that they are not alone and that having a mental or emotional disorder is nothing to be ashamed of.

Resources

We have compiled a list of state mental health authorities with departments that serve people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing to help you find services in your area. We have also included information about other sources of treatment. We will update this section whenever we learn about a new agency or organization that aims to provide culturally-appropriate services. Please send us any information you think belongs in this section.

Clearinghouse Assistance

The National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse operates this Web site and the Self-Help Signpost specifically for people who are Deaf/HoH, but the Clearinghouse also has tools, publications, and services for all people who live with mental and emotional disorders. The links in the left column on this page will take you to these resources. Also, you can call, write, email, or fax us questions about anything related to mental health—especially self-help topics such as how to start a support group—and we will send you a packet of information. You can download and print some of our materials directly from the Clearinghouse site at www.mhselfhelp.com . Everything we offer is free of charge and we are happy to help.