Our letter re: Wisconsin MH Services grant being cut. Note: we use "deaf*" in the letter and it is explained at the bottom. We want to share that we did not coin this, and we are not sure who did. We want to make sure credit goes where credit is due. September 18, 2013 Dear Joyce Allen, Linda Harris, Kevin E. Moore, and Kitty Rhoades, Facundo Element is a national non-profit organization that actively works to remove oppression and misrepresentation of deaf* folks. We are writing to express concern regarding the recent decision not to renew a grant in the amount of $37,000.00 for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for deaf* individuals in Wisconsin. A population that was already underserved in this area is now being grossly neglected and the state of Wisconsin is opening itself up to lawsuits. Lawsuits specific to this area have been fought and won in several states, including Minnesota. The Deaf* population is made up of individuals who, like other linguistic and cultural groups, have their own set of unique experiences, norms, and language use. Many of those experiences are common within affinity groups, but largely unfamiliar to professionals with little or no interaction with the Deaf* community. Research has repeatedly shown that deaf* people are frequently misdiagnosed, underserved, untreated, and mistreated. We would like to refer you to Deaf Mental Health Care (2013), edited by Neil S. Glickman, with specific focus on a chapter entitled: “Creating a Culturally Affirmative Continuum of Mental Health Services” (Gournaris, Hamerdinger, & Williams, 2013). Below are some quotes from the chapter: “A body of research shows that deaf consumers with mental health issues are less likely to be appropriately diagnosed or treated, because many mental health clinicians are not properly trained to work with them (Haskins, 2004; Mathos, Kilbourne, Myers, & Post, 2009; Pollard, 1994. (p. 139). “The combination of language and cultural differences, high prevalence rates for behavioral problems, and clinical unfamiliarity with deaf people results in a high probability of misdiagnosis with a psychotic disorder (Vernon & Greenberg, 1999; Glickman, 2009; Pollard, 1998). (p. 139). Even more disturbing stories have been written about deaf* individuals who were misdiagnosed and unnecessarily institutionalized for much of their life. One such story is: “Unspeakable: The story of Junis Wilson (Burch & Joyner, 2007). Today in Wisconsin, deaf* and families are waiting for culturally and linguistically appropriate services that are essential to their recovery. A recent study shows that the percentage of victims suffering from Mental Health and Substance Abuse are significantly higher in our population (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) as compared to hearing population. People living with Mental Health and substance abuse can and do recover and live successfully in the community when there are a variety of community based services such as peer directed programs, case management and residential supports, to name a few. Unfortunately, there is none of those designed for our unique population that exists in the entire state of Wisconsin. Ensuring continued funding mental health services is both cost-effective for the state as well as consistent with the core principles of a humane, civilized society. We strongly urge you to reconsider this budget cut. We also encourage you to do more research in this area. Should you be interested, we would gladly send you a copy of the chapter referenced above. We would also like to direct you to a position statement on Mental Health Services drafted by the National Association of the Deaf: nad.org/issues/health-care/mental-health-services/position-statement. With appreciation for your time and consideration, Alison L. Aubrecht, M.A., LPCC Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Minnesota Social Activist, Facundo Element Note: we use the term Deaf* here to refer to a larger group, including (but not limited to), Deaf, Deaf Blind, Hard of Hearing, deaf, Deaf Disabled, Late Deafened, Oral Deaf. Cc: Kyle Katers, President, Wisconsin Association of the Deaf
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 15:27:59 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015