The Psychiatrist (2005) 29: 159. doi: 10.1192/pb.29.4.159
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 159
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
The Mental Health Act 1983 Video for Deaf People
This new video, produced in British Sign Language (BSL), is
aimed primarily
at deaf people whose first or preferred language
is BSL, to provide
information for those who have a mental
health illness/problem. Within the
mental health field, there
are very few professionals who use BSL. Therefore,
deaf people
do not consistently get full information in their first or
preferred
language. This video is a breakthrough in allowing deaf people
access to vital information, such as: what would happen if
they were detained,
and their rights under the Mental Health
Act 1983; medication; and how long
their stay in hospital would
be. The video will also help widen the
understanding of hearing
professionals who may have little or no knowledge of
deaf issues,
and in this respect, it describes how to book interpreters,
shows
strong deaf role models to promote wider deaf awareness
and explains
communication tactics, along with other vital
information.
This video is an extremely positive step forward; however, there is still a
long way to go. There are many areas of information that deaf people have
difficulty in accessing. It is hoped that the video will encourage
professionals to think about how to get involved in making positive changes in
the healthcare of deaf people.
To purchase the video in VHS or DVD format please contact Forest Bookshops
(www.forestbooks.com;
tel/minicom: 01594 833 858). For further information please contact the
British Society for Mental Health and Deafness (BSMHD):
www.bsmhd.org.uk.