Audra
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
‘Why is it that hearing people have choice of over 30,000 qualified and registered psychologists and counsellors in Australia when there are around maybe 20 in the whole of Australia experienced in supporting Deaf with their mental health needs?’
Audra is Deaf. Auslan is her first language.
Last year she needed to access mental health treatment.
‘I was in a really severe stage,’ Audra told the Royal Commission ‘… after going through so much.’
Audra found it difficult to access information in Auslan about services. She contacted a government agency who gave her a list of organisations to contact.
But no-one was intensively trained in ‘deafness mental health’.
‘Where is mine?’ she asked. ‘Where is my access as a Deaf person?’
Audra says telephone counselling wasn’t suitable and the National Relay Service doesn’t operate 24/7.
‘Not all Deaf people have strong language foundation to establish English as their second language and to be able to express themselves in English via texting services.’
People need to be able to access services and information in their own language, she says.
Audra would like universities and TAFEs to introduce mandatory Deaf mental health and Deaf awareness training for all medical and allied health professionals.
‘It is imperative that Deaf people have access to support with professionals not judging them – no traces of audism and ignorance.’
Audra says professionals must understand the communication needs of all individuals.
‘It is time to stop giving hearing people all the access to mental health services.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.