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Domestic Violence has always been a problem in the Deaf community. For many years it has been a hidden problem, secret and taboo. It happened behind closed doors. It was treated as a private matter between two people and the community should not get involved.

We know now that we cannot afford to let it stay private. It is everyone’s business. We must all be a part of the solution. Domestic Violence is a community problem that requires a community solution.

For almost 25 years, Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services, ADWAS, has worked with Deaf victims and survivors, and we have learned that domestic violence can happen to anyone, anywhere. It ignores gender, race, class, sexual orientation, educational background, ability, borders, religion, and any other kind of label.

We also know that Domestic Violence is not just physical. It can include emotional, financial, spiritual and many other forms of power and control.

What can you do if someone you care about is a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault? Listen. Believe them. Tell them it is not their fault. Respect and judge their decisions. Remember that they are the experts of their experience and know their situation the best. Offer them resources and encourage them to talk to a domestic violence or sexual assault advocate.

What can you do if you experience domestic violence or sexual assault? Tell someone. Keep telling someone until they believe you. Know that it is not your fault and you are not alone. Get help. Talk to a local domestic violence or sexual assault agency. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline and ask if there is a Deaf domestic violence or sexual assault program near you.

What can our community do?
Talk about it. By discussing the problem, we send a powerful message that we know it is going on and it will no longer be tolerated.

Don’t blame victims. For too long we have asked questions like: Why does she stay? Why doesn’t she leave? Why did she go back? Instead, we should be asking questions like why does he do that? And how do we stop the cycle of violence.

Educate ourselves and others. We need to understand the problem of domestic violence and sexual assault before we can begin to work towards solving it. Hosting workshops and giving performances and plays are just some of the ways bringing awareness to the community.

Focus on the systems. There are many barriers for Deaf victims in the medical, legal and emergency systems. We must work to remove those barriers so that there are lasting system changes. We also need to work with hearing providers in this field and build allies so that they understand that Deaf victims have unique needs.

Create new programs and services. By providing services that are culturally based, Deaf and ASL-centric, we give Deaf survivors a tangible and effective alternative to traditional, mainstream programs that have long been inaccessible for Deaf.

Sometimes people ask ADWAS staff how we survive doing this work. And we try to explain that it is powerful to work for change. And it is empowering working within our own community to end the cycle. But more than that, working with survivors who have experienced physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse and seeing their strength, their ability to endure and begin to heal, we see that it is possible. Not only is it possible, it is imperative.

This work of trying to end the cycle of violence is not easy or simple. It will not happen overnight. But we must try. And although we know the road to healing is long, together, with the community involved supporting victims and survivors and by creating new programs and services for survivors, our community can begin to heal.

Three new links related to domestic violence have been added to the useful links section related to domestic violence.

- The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) is a private nonprofit organization working at the state and national levels to eliminate domestic violence, secure justice for victims, enhance safety for families and communities, and create lasting systems and social change.

PCADV coordinates these efforts with its statewide network of programs, which provides 24-hour emergency hotlines, shelter, counseling, legal advocacy and representation, healthcare-based advocacy, childrens programs, transitional housing and many other free and confidential services. The agency does not specifically provide services to the Deaf or Deafblind but will assist you in finding resources in your area.

- Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS) provides comprehensive services to Deaf and Deaf-Blind victims/survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking. ADWAS believes that violence is a learned behavior and envisions a world where violence is not tolerated.

ADWAS was founded in 1986 and is located in Seattle, Washington. The ADWAS model has been replicated in 19 Deaf communities across the United States. A list of resources and contacts where services that are specifically designed for the Deaf can be found on this site.

- The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) was established in 1991 within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its Vision is to ensure that “All Women and Girls are Healthier and Have a Better Sense of Well Being.” Its mission is to “provide leadership to promote health equity for women and girls through sex/gender-specific approaches.” The strategy OWH uses to achieve its mission and vision is through the development of innovative programs, by educating health professionals, and motivating behavior change in consumers through the dissemination of health information.  State contacts where resources can be found about domestic violence can be found on this site.

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Many people in the United States struggle with depression, anxiety or beliefs that are bothersome to them. We provide a brief overview of therapy and medicine options here. Please contact us with questions or commentaries.

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With an eye toward advancing mental health treatment and access to services for the deaf population with mental illness the National Association of State Mental Health Directors and the National Coalition on Mental Health and Deaf Individuals have embarked on an effort to address the needs of a population that is underserved and underrepresented.

Mental Health Weekly, Volume 19 Number 32, published on August 17, 2009.

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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 you or any of your family members are troubled by the following problems, you might need behavioral health services:

• Feeling hopeless, guilty, worthless, helpless, sad, or losing interest in activities, school or work;
• Changes in sleep patterns, weight or appetite, having difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions, or having mood swings, much more energy, much less need for sleep, and poor judgment;
• Wanting or planning to hurt self or others;
• Believing that behavior is controlled by others or that messages are being sent from strangers, radio, TV, etc.;
• Concerned about death, hearing voices, or seeing things that others do not see or hear or believing that others are plotting against him/her;
• Feeling bad or guilty about drinking too much or using drugs;
• Hiding drinking, having blackouts or drinking or using drugs when waking up to steady nerves or get rid of a hangover.

What is mental health care?
There are many, many reasons to seek mental health care. Mental health care is used to support life changes, such as aging, childbirth, and divorce, personal growth, improve mood, overcome substance abuse, and help resolve conflicts between people. Some issues that you may experience include difficulty with your mood, e.g., depression or anxiety, an emergency or crisis in your life, like domestic violence, a family or school-related problem, a conflict with your spouse, partner, or friend who may be deaf or hearing, a health-related concern including HIV/AIDS or drugs or alcohol, or a job-related concern. You may also have a deaf or hearing child or parent who is experiencing some difficulty in school or with friends. Finally, you might want to explore your identity, perhaps related to your hearing loss, culture, or sex.

Who provides mental health care?
Mental health care is provided by mental health services and qualified professionals. Mental health services are located, for example, at mental health agencies, psychiatric units in hospitals, or residential programs, or even privately. Qualified mental health professionals include social workers, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, or substance abuse counselors. Each professional has specific skills, for example, a psychiatrist is specially trained to administer medication to people who need it. Professionals work directly with people and can provide counseling and therapy.

Who is a qualified professional?
A qualified professional is an individual who has earned a Masters or Ph.D. degree in a specific mental health profession, such as those noted above. Mental health professionals are licensed by the state where they work. All professionals have codes of ethics that require certain behavior, for example, confidentiality. Even though the deaf community is small, confidentiality can be maintained. You may also have to use the services of a professional, qualified interpreter in your community if the professional cannot sign. A professional, qualified interpreter is an individual who is certified by the NAD, the RID, or by some states that have an interpreter certification process. The use of a highly skilled, professional interpreter is essential for accurate and sensitive communication between you and the mental health professional. You may want to suggest the names of interpreters you know to be competent and reliable. Why? In the small deaf community, it is important to use interpreters who can understand your need for confidentiality.

How do I find mental health resources in my community?
You can find mental health care in your community in several ways. One way is through a referral from a friend, a relative, colleague at work, minister or rabbi, school for the deaf, or another service provider, like the VR counselor, who may know of a qualified professional in your community you could go to. Another way is to look in a TTY phone book under Health, Mental Health, Counseling, Psychotherapy, for example. The important thing is that you’re able to communicate comfortably with that individual either directly or through the use of an interpreter. Writing or using a friend or relative to help you communicate is not advisable. You have to find out whether you are comfortable by yourself by contacting and visiting the professional. Of course you can bring a friend or relative with you for support! You may also wish to request a professional interpreter whom you know and are comfortable with, but you may have to accept the interpreter who is available for your situation to help facilitate communication. That is most important.

How do I pay for mental health services?
There are several ways to pay for mental health services. One way is to pay using your own money. Some services will adjust their fee depending on how much you earn. Another way is to use your health insurance. Health insurance includes Medicaid (State), Medicare (Federal), or private insurance. Medicaid or private insurance may be administered by a managed care company. Your health benefit may be paid for by your employer, the government, or by yourself, if you own your own business. The managed care company is responsible for identifying services that you can use under your health care plan and may be responsible for paying for interpreter services.

How do I use my managed or health care insurance benefits?
First, you can go directly to a mental health service or professional and ask for their assistance contacting the insurance or managed care company. You can also call the insurance or managed care company by TTY or Relay and tell them the name of the professional you want to go to because the professional can communicate with you. You have a choice in this decision!

What kind of information do mental health care professionals need?
First, they need to know what the problem is, for example, that a person is depressed or lonely or going through some changes. Second, they need to know what kind of health care benefit the person has and the information on the insurance card. Third, they need to know how a person communicates and what kinds of accommodations, for example interpreter, are needed. It is important to be as specific as possible. Fourth, they may need to know where to obtain the services of an interpreter.

What are my rights as a consumer of mental health services?
You have the right to:

1. Communicate with a mental health care professional in a confidential and safe environment in the language and mode that is most comfortable for you to use.
2. Clearly understand the problem you have and the recommendations being made for your care.
3. Clearly understand what medication you are being asked to take, what the side effects are, and what the medication will do.
4. Be informed about why a report is being made, for example, on child abuse or neglect.
5. Ask for a referral from your insurance company to a qualified professional who works with people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
6. Your choice of provider or interpreter, if there is one who you are comfortable with.

For more information about services in our area, please see the Southwestern Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Service resource directory.

Source: National Association of the Deaf – Mental Health Facts