While mental health issues are increasingly gaining attention in Ghana, little is known about the situation among deaf people. This study assessed the mental health care needs of deaf people in Ghana. A descriptive de...While mental health issues are increasingly gaining attention in Ghana, little is known about the situation among deaf people. This study assessed the mental health care needs of deaf people in Ghana. A descriptive design, consisting of interviews and focus group discussions, was used to collect data from 97 participants. Findings indicated that participants had limited knowledge on mental health issues. Mental health stigma, inaccessible mental health information and exclusion from mental health programmes were the major barriers hindering access to mental health care services. This study bridges the knowledge gap and provides evidence for the implementation of deaf-friendly services.展开更多
Background: Globally, mental health is recognized as one of the major public health issues, and mental health stigma is one of the main barriers to mental healthcare. While several studies have been conducted on the s...Background: Globally, mental health is recognized as one of the major public health issues, and mental health stigma is one of the main barriers to mental healthcare. While several studies have been conducted on the stigma associated with mental health, very little is known about the mental health stigma experienced by deaf persons with mental health conditions in Ghana. This study examines the experiences of double stigmatization by deaf people with mental health conditions in Ghana. Methodology: A descriptive, mixed method data collection was used for seventy-nine (79) participants. The paper presents findings from the only qualitative component of the study. Results: The findings from the study showed that deaf people with mental illness experienced double stigma, namely being stigmatized for being deaf and for having mental illness. This hindered access to mental health services for deaf people with mental health condition. Conclusion: Deaf people with mental health conditions experience double stigmatization which discourages them from seeking professional psychiatric care. This implies that efforts to reduce mental health stigma and create awareness on deafness should be improved upon. It is recommended that, in view of the impact of stigma on the provision and use of mental health care services, strategies to improve access to mental health care, should seriously consider concerns about stigma.展开更多
文摘While mental health issues are increasingly gaining attention in Ghana, little is known about the situation among deaf people. This study assessed the mental health care needs of deaf people in Ghana. A descriptive design, consisting of interviews and focus group discussions, was used to collect data from 97 participants. Findings indicated that participants had limited knowledge on mental health issues. Mental health stigma, inaccessible mental health information and exclusion from mental health programmes were the major barriers hindering access to mental health care services. This study bridges the knowledge gap and provides evidence for the implementation of deaf-friendly services.
文摘Background: Globally, mental health is recognized as one of the major public health issues, and mental health stigma is one of the main barriers to mental healthcare. While several studies have been conducted on the stigma associated with mental health, very little is known about the mental health stigma experienced by deaf persons with mental health conditions in Ghana. This study examines the experiences of double stigmatization by deaf people with mental health conditions in Ghana. Methodology: A descriptive, mixed method data collection was used for seventy-nine (79) participants. The paper presents findings from the only qualitative component of the study. Results: The findings from the study showed that deaf people with mental illness experienced double stigma, namely being stigmatized for being deaf and for having mental illness. This hindered access to mental health services for deaf people with mental health condition. Conclusion: Deaf people with mental health conditions experience double stigmatization which discourages them from seeking professional psychiatric care. This implies that efforts to reduce mental health stigma and create awareness on deafness should be improved upon. It is recommended that, in view of the impact of stigma on the provision and use of mental health care services, strategies to improve access to mental health care, should seriously consider concerns about stigma.
