D&D satellite: What can mental health workers and Deaf artists do together to improve care for Deaf people?

1 in 4 Deaf people have mental health issues and our mental health services are very behind compared to mainstream services. Many deaf people who get Cochlear Implants can adapt to speak clearly but they don’t mix with the Deaf community and they don’t see themselves as part of Deaf identity community. They are more likely to suffer from mental health issues in later life. Deaf education is worse than before with so many deaf schools closing down and deaf children sent to mainstream where the majority of Deaf children, with and without speech, see their education suffer.  

Nationwide, Deaf clubs are closing down and more will close. The Deaf communities are losing their cultural roots. There are only three care home for deaf elderly in the entire UK and there is a long waiting list. Most councils refused to pay for them to go to deaf care homes. Most Deaf children don’t have positive deaf role models - I grew up believing I would be hearing when I became an adult. There is no encouragement to explore the social model of disability especially in deafness. 

This event is fully wheelchair-accessible, with wheelchair-accessible toilets available. BSL interpreters will be provided. We welcome neurodivergent participants at all our events. For more details about access provision at the venue, and for contact details, please check their website here: https://boulevardtheatre.co.uk/your-visit/accessinformation/