Media Release

Monday, 13 October 2008

QLD Premier supports urgent action for the 800,000 deaf and hard of hearing Australians who also experience mental health problems.

Karen Struthers, MP and Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister for Health announced support, on behalf of Premier Anna Bligh, at Thursday’s pre-event launch of the 4th World Congress on Mental Health and Deafness, ‘A Life to be Lived’, 27-30 October 2009.

A heartfelt DVD on Mental Health and Deafness was played in the ‘Undumbi Room’ at Brisbane’s Parliament House and it demonstrated the purpose and aims of the Congress. The event was part of National Week of Deaf People 11 - 17 October 2008.

The support from both the Premier’s Office and Dr Aaron Groves, Queensland’s Director of Mental Health, is an important step in this year of campaigning and events before the international Congress is held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre next year.

The Congress will promote awareness of the mental health issues faced by deaf and hard of hearing people in Australia and lead a collaborative movement that brings together both the deafness and mental health sectors internationally.

Veronica Pardo, Congress Convenor and Deputy CEO of Deaf Children Australia and Deaf Services Queensland welcomed Queensland Government’s support, “With 800,000 deaf and hard of hearing Australian’s experiencing mental health problems at some time, greater awareness and collaboration within the deaf and mental health sectors is the priority of the Congress.”

Deaf and hard of hearing people experience increased risks of mental health problems due to increased social isolation and emotional vulnerability - leading to higher risk of abuse. They face linguistic and cultural barriers to access and participate in existing mental health services and programs.

There is a lack of knowledge within the mental health sector of deaf specific considerations; and a lack of knowledge and acceptance of mental health issues within the deaf sector, in communities and among individuals.
The extent of the mental health problems deaf and hard of hearing people experience in Australia is captured in the Congress’ consensus statement and states that:

• 1 in 6 Australians currently suffer from hearing loss, a rate that is predicted to increase to 1 in every 4 Australians by 2050 (1)
• 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness at some time in their life, a quarter of whom will receive treatment (2)
• Hearing loss is the second most prevalent national health issue, yet it is remains the 8th national funding priority (3)
• There is only 1 dedicated mental health service in Australia which responds specifically to the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people. That service is located in Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital (4)

Congress hosts are asking for government to actively support the 4th World Congress on Mental Health and Deafness and support the establishment of a National Strategy for Research and Information on Mental Health and Deafness.

Ms Pardo added that, “Deafness can be invisible to hearing people and we know that mental health problems can be well hidden. We need government support us to de-stigmatise the issues, dedicate research, increase access to dedicated mental health services and dramatically improve treatment of deaf patients within existing mental health services.”

Confident that this event will lift the lid on the silent suffering that Australian deaf people endure, Deaf Children Australia and Deaf Services Queensland are optimistic about our nation’s ability to learn some of the lessons from overseas, such as the UK and also demonstrate our leadership on others.

Michael Paddock and colleagues from Kings College London School of Medicine and South West London and St George's Mental Healthcare NHS Trust, claim in ScienceDaily October 6 2008 that findings are consistent and that, “there is a basic lack of deaf awareness and appropriate communication support by healthcare professionals.”

In the same article, experts from the bjm.com website state that in the UK, “Thousands of Deaf patients are receiving inadequate healthcare because they are struggling to communicate with healthcare professionals…and that it is Deaf individuals with mental health problems that suffer…well over three million (up to 40%) Deaf people experience mental health problems at some point in their lives compared to one in four of the general population.”

Ref:

1. Access Economics Report- Listen Hear! The economic impact and cost of hearing loss in Australia, 2006 p. 5

2. (Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria), Depression Fact Sheet

3. Access Economics Report- Listen Hear! The economic impact and cost of hearing loss in Australia 2006 p.38, p.48

4. Briffa, D Clinical Specialist, State-wide Service for People who are Deaf or Hearing Impaired, A Centre of Excellence, Princess Alexandra Hospital Deafness and Mental Health Service Brisbane, 2007

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081001093508.htm

For further information please contact:

Karyn Barrasso, Mental Health Policy & Communications Officer
Deaf Children Australia

Tel: + 61 3 9539 5339 Mob: 0413 777 880
Fax: +61 3 9525 2595

Email: kbarrasso@deafchildren.org.au