‘All the Doors are Closing’: National Deaf Services Users' Thoughts and Views on Deafness, Mental Health and Employment

Abstract

This qualitative study invited Deaf adults with mental health difficulties to reflect on mental health, Deafness and the barriers to obtaining and retaining employment. The term Deaf with a capital ‘D’ denotes Deaf people as a cultural and linguistic minority group, who use sign language as their first language (British Deaf Association 2000). Eight people took part in three focus groups and one interview. The findings were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Six themes arose from the analysis: stigma, the benefits of employment, the support required, the differences and similarities between Deaf and hearing populations, communication and the challenges of mental health compared with those of Deafness. The strongest message was that Deaf people with mental health difficulties require somebody who speaks their language when obtaining employment. A list of recommendations is provided, which has relevance to occupational therapists.