Development of mental health first aid guidelines for deaf people: A delphi expert consensus study on culturally appropriate responses to mental health problems experienced by a deaf person

• Autores: Danielle Ferndale, Kathy S. Bond, Betty A. Kitchener, Anthony F. Jorm, Frances Dark, Sally Strobridge, Neil Wood, Mark Cave, Fairlie A Cottrill
• Localización: International Journal on Mental Health and Deafness, ISSN 2226-3462, Vol. 5, Nº. 1, 2021
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Members of Deaf communities continue to experience considerable challenges when accessing mental health supports. Improving capacity within the Deaf community through increasing knowledge and skills required to provide initial assistance to a fellow Deaf person who is experiencing a mental health problem is an important element of addressing this problem. Additionally, hearing people need to develop culturally appropriate knowledge and skills inorder to provide initial assistance to a Deaf person experiencing a mental health problem. The Delphi expert consensus method was used to develop two sets of guidelines. The first, considerations for Deaf people providing mental health first aid to a Deaf person with a mental health problem. The second, considerations for hearing people providing mental health first aid to a Deaf person with a mental health problem. A systematic review of websites, books and journal articles was conducted to develop statements about the knowledge, skills and actions relevant to a Deaf or hearing person assisting a Deaf person with mental health problems. All study materials were available in English and Australian Sign Language (Auslan). Statements were rated over three rounds by one diverse expert panel comprising 24 people who are either Deaf or hearing who are mental health professionals, interpreters and academics in Australia and overseas. A total of 433 statements were rated, with 290 statements endorsed by at least 90% of the panel. The resulting guidelines are the first that are specifically developed to assist Deaf people experiencing a mental health problem where Deaf people were involved in the research team, working group and as expert panellists. These guidelines can be used to inform policy and practice in deafness and mental health sectors. These guidelines will be used to develop a Mental Health First Aid course on how to provide initial assistance to a Deaf person who is experiencing a mental health problem.