Communication singularities in the meeting between deaf people and mental health professionals

Abstract

Part of the struggles of people with disabilities and their movements has been, not only the recognition of human diversity but the understanding that people with the same disability, like deafness, are not a homogeneous group. Health professionals, when facing that diversity, generally feel unprepared and with insufficient knowledge. The objective of this study is to present different forms of communication that may happen when deaf subjects meet these professionals in mental health services, using Multiple Case Study. The results point to diversity in ways of communicating, calling the professionals to create new forms of work and care in the meeting with users in mental health services. It is in the daily work, with every different service user, that suggestions of care which take diversity into account, gain life. And for that, it is also important to include diversity in the way of communicating. The creation of unique forms of communication demanded of health professionals is only possible with the support of informational spaces and continuing education.