When Harriet went to university she began experiencing anxiety. At the same time, her hearing deteriorated. She shares her journey with mental health and how her new deaf friends helped her to find her deaf identity.
Harriet is 25 years old. Going through school, her mental health was fine. It was when she moved to university that things began to change.
“I moved to uni and became anxious. I was losing my hearing at that time and I was struggling to communicate.”
Harriet knew that her mental health wasn’t right and she needed support. She reached out to her GP for help.
“I went to the GP and I asked for a counselling referral. They referred me to a hearing service, so I went. I didn’t know that there were deaf services out there.”
Harriet was pleased to get mental health support from someone but on reflection, there were gaps in the support that a mainstream service could provide for her.
“The counsellor was nice enough, but she was very sympathetic because I was deaf. She told me she thought that being deaf must be really difficult. I told her it’s not difficult being deaf.
It’s the barriers that make it difficult.
Harriet found it difficult to connect with the mental health support at times.
“She didn’t understand about deaf culture. She didn’t really understand about me. So I faced further barriers there. I just got on with it.”
Harriet really relied on her new deaf friends at university as she navigated communication barriers and anxiety.
“Luckily, I met a group of deaf friends who signed to me. I became interested in learning BSL, so I did! That really helped me to progress.”
After university, Harriet decided to try again to find mental health support for her anxiety. She tried to find a deaf service but the waiting lists were really long. She needed help more urgently.
“I decided to find a deaf counsellor and pay privately. My counselling was done in BSL – but I had to pay. It was really expensive. Luckily I am privileged that I am able to afford to pay for therapy.”
Harriet knows she is fortunate that she was able to pay for the help she needs. Most deaf young people do not have that option.
“The majority of deaf young people aren’t able to pay for therapy. That means that they can’t access mental health services specifically for them.”
Can you help?
Harriet wants us to change the system. She is right. Deaf young people should be able to access the mental health support they need.
Harriet also knows how vital it is for deaf young people to be able to connect with other deaf young people to improve their mental health and feel connected.
SignHealth are increasing our services to reach deaf children and young people. We are providing mental health workshops – delivered by deaf professionals to help young people like Harriet.
Could you donate today to support deaf young people like Harriet? A donation of £10 could help one young person to access our workshops.
Being deaf does not cause depression and anxiety.
Facing barriers every day does.
Deaf young people are twice as likely to experience mental health issues. Meet the real young people behind the statistic.
Lucy struggled with her mental health at university.
Charis had anxiety and wished she had support from a deaf professional.
Beth felt isolated and it really affected her mental health.
