Deafness In Cumbria - Mental Health

Text Version |Saturday, 05 July 2008

Deafness In Cumbria
Whoever you are, whatever your age, if you are affected in some way by deafness- yourself, a member of your family or a friend – then this is the site for you. Here you will find basic information on key issues for different age groups and links to many other sources of help available. Simply click on the route map.

Deafness and Mental Health

Did you know?

•    Research has shown that 40% of Deaf children have some kind of mental health problem, compared to 25% of hearing children
•    Deaf people spend roughly twice as long in hospital or in prison
•    While it is generally known that deaf people have the same range of mental health problems as hearing people, the incidence of mental illness amongst deaf people is estimated to be about 4 times greater than in the general population. It is also important to recognise that deafness may present special problems in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness; because of poor communication mental illness may go unrecognised in deaf people or mental impairment may remain undiagnosed

These staggering statistics confirm the need for the Department of Health Document, ‘Towards Equity and Access’. This document is best practise guidance for the NHS and makes a number of recommendations to the NHS to improve services. Cumbria Deaf Association alongside the different NHS Trusts in Cumbria and Cumbria County Council have joined forces to implement these recommendations, to see annual report click here .

To download a copy of Towards Equity and Access, click here http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyand Guidance/DH_4103995

Mental Health services within Cumbria are provided by Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust, which was formed on the 1st October 2006.

They provide the following services throughout Cumbria:

•    Mental Health Services
•    Substance Misuse Services
•    Learning Disabilities and Young Peoples Services

In the majority of circumstances referral is made via your GP.

Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust has adopted the Deaf Mental Health Charter developed by Signhealth, which is aimed at promoting the mental well being and rights of deaf people by reducing barriers to services.

The Charter is for anyone involved in health, mental health or social care. For a copy of the charter, click here. http://www.mhf.org.uk/our-work/service-development/all-age-groups/deaf-charter/

Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust has produced a number of useful information leaflets on mental health problems, your rights as a patient or carer and self help information as well as a number of other publications. For a list, click here http://www.cumbria.nhs.uk/cumbriapartnership/about/publications.aspx
Any of these documents can be translated into BSL upon request.

For more information on the services of Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust, contact:

Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust
The Carleton Clinic
Cumwhinton Drive
Carlisle
CA1 3SX
Tel: 01228 602000
Fax: 01228 602550
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
http://www.cumbriapartnership.nhs.uk

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Links and Information

Patients Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
For information, advice or help with any concerns
PALS, The Carleton Clinic
Cumwhinton Drive
Carlisle
CA1 3SX
Tel: 01228 602857
Fax: 01228 602550
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
http://www.cumbria.nhs.uk/cumbriapartnership/serviceusers/pals.aspx
http://www.deafinfo.org.uk/services/pals.html (with video clip)