{"id":62392,"date":"2021-12-17T11:27:25","date_gmt":"2021-12-17T11:27:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=62392"},"modified":"2023-10-11T09:49:29","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T08:49:29","slug":"silent-inequality-the-critical-lack-of-mental-health-support-for-deaf-people-in-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2021\/12\/17\/silent-inequality-the-critical-lack-of-mental-health-support-for-deaf-people-in-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"Silent inequality: The critical lack of mental health support for deaf people in Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A report has found that specialised deaf mental health services in Wales are non-existent, forcing many to travel to England for accessible treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-1024x577.png\" alt=\"mental health finger spelled in British Sign Language\" class=\"wp-image-62397\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-770x434.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-1363x768.png 1363w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-293x165.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-1400x789.png 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main.png 1640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-1024x577.png\" alt=\"mental health finger spelled in British Sign Language\" class=\"wp-image-62397\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-770x434.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-1363x768.png 1363w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-293x165.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main-1400x789.png 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/feature-pic-main.png 1640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>&#8220;Mental Health&#8221; finger spelled in British Sign Language (BSL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\"><span style=\"color:#6d1f95\" class=\"has-inline-color\">D<\/span>eaf people are twice as likely to experience mental health issues during their lifetime than the general population, according to a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swansea.ac.uk\/press-office\/news-events\/news\/2021\/10\/new-report-demands-action-to-address-mental-health-inequalities-faced-by-deaf-community.php\">report<\/a>. However, for deaf people living in Wales, the situation is worsened by a critical lack of access to mental health services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wales is the only country in the UK without an established pathway for deaf people who require mental health care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>40% of Wales\u2019 575,000 deaf people will experience mental health problems, according to the report by a group of Welsh deaf mental health organisations. But existing services do not cater to the community&#8217;s needs, often forcing patients to travel to England for treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lack of provision for Welsh deaf people begins in childhood. 80% of the 2,500 children deaf children in Wales attend mainstream schools with no specialist facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span style=\"color:#6d1f95\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Children who are deaf often grow up believing opportunities are not open to them<\/span><\/p><cite><span style=\"color:#6d1f95\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Louise Sweeney, CEO of Wales Council for Deaf People<\/span><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Growing up deaf can be deeply isolating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Louise Sweeney, CEO of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcdeaf.org.uk\/\">Wales Council for Deaf People<\/a> said, \u201cChildren who are Deaf often grow up with hearing parents and do not know any Deaf role models. They often believe opportunities are not open to them in the way they are for hearing children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are no Deaf Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) centres in Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This isolation is compounded by the discrimination and stress that deaf people experience daily, which contributes to experiences of anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do deaf people suffer from higher rates of mental health problems?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" title=\"Why are deaf people are twice as likely to experience mental health problems?\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k81X2VgAXY4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><noscript><iframe title=\"Why are deaf people are twice as likely to experience mental health problems?\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k81X2VgAXY4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div><figcaption>Statistics from The All Wales Deaf Mental Health and Well-being Group&#8217;s report, &#8216;Deaf people Wales: Hidden Inequality&#8217;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color:#6d1f95\" class=\"has-inline-color\">The first barrier<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The report  found that problems with healthcare access start in GP surgeries, where many staff do not know how to book interpreters. Telephone bookings and virtual appointments are much more common since the beginning of the pandemic. Unfortunately, they often rely on audio which is inaccessible to deaf people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2016, <a href=\"https:\/\/signhealth.org.uk\/\">SignHealth<\/a>, a deaf health charity, found that 70% of deaf people who wanted an appointment with their GP did not attempt to make one, as they thought it would be too difficult to communicate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Naomi Wray, 21, a Cardiff resident who is profoundly deaf, said, \u201cPhone appointments make me very anxious. To have to discuss sensitive topics on the phone and receive advice that I may not hear correctly makes it all the worse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-1024x577.png\" alt=\"Statistics on why Covid-19 rules have made it harder for deaf people to access healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-62407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-770x434.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-1363x768.png 1363w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-293x165.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-1400x789.png 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE.png 1640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-1024x577.png\" alt=\"Statistics on why Covid-19 rules have made it harder for deaf people to access healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-62407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-770x434.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-1363x768.png 1363w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-293x165.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE-1400x789.png 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/THE-EFFECTS-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-ON-HEALTHCARE-ACCESS-FOR-DEAF-PEOPLE.png 1640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Covid-19 protective measures like masks and virtual appointments make it harder for deaf people to access healthcare<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color:#6d1f95\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Mental health services<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The lack of accessibility continues in mental health services. There is no specialist deaf mental health service in Wales. Therefore, deaf people may be put on a local mental health ward with limited access to communication until, if they are fortunate, an interpreter is used when they are assessed by a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, they may be admitted to a specialist unit in England. But this can only take place after funding is agreed, causing a significant delay and isolating people from their family and friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ffion Griffiths, 23, who is profoundly deaf, described her experience with the Welsh mental health service as \u201ca very difficult and frustrating experience\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-1024x512.jpeg\" alt=\"Ffion Griffiths, a deaf person who has accessed mental health services in Wales.\" class=\"wp-image-62406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-1024x512.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-300x150.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-770x385.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-1366x683.jpeg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-585x293.jpeg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-1170x585.jpeg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-293x147.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-1400x700.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-1024x512.jpeg\" alt=\"Ffion Griffiths, a deaf person who has accessed mental health services in Wales.\" class=\"wp-image-62406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-1024x512.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-300x150.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-770x385.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-1366x683.jpeg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-585x293.jpeg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-1170x585.jpeg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-293x147.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion-1400x700.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/ffion.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>&#8220;The majority of those in the mental health services were unable to understand and meet my needs,&#8221; said Ffion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After being assessed by a Welsh psychiatrist, the Neath resident was referred to a mental health service in England at her parents\u2019 request. But this procedure took months, causing her mental health to further deteriorate. Only after another assessment from an English psychiatrist was she able to access counselling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span style=\"color:#6d1f95\" class=\"has-inline-color\">A deaf counsellor would allow the patient to be more expressive, as they would relate to the client\u2019s experience and their cultural upbringing<\/span><\/p><cite><span style=\"color:#6d1f95\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Ffion Griffiths<\/span><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Ffion was allocated a hearing counsellor, meaning that she needed a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA deaf counsellor would be a massive advantage as they wouldn\u2019t require the third-party interaction [with an interpreter],\u201d she said. \u201cThis would allow the patient to be more expressive, as the deaf counsellor would relate to the client\u2019s experience and their cultural upbringing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There can also be delays in booking interpreters, since there are currently only 48 registered BSL\/English interpreters living in Wales. This falls short of a target of 64 interpreters set by the Welsh government and EU in 2006. Agencies recommend booking interpreters at least two weeks in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color:#6d1f95\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Looking to the future<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>These issues are little known outside the deaf community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lack of complete data means that it is difficult to present a clear picture to the Welsh government and make an accurate assessment of deaf people\u2019s problems and needs. New patient forms at GP surgeries often do not ask about deafness, meaning that the information is not properly collated on central systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More accurate information should result from the 2021 Census, which worked with deaf hubs in Wales to better support sign language users in participating. The data should become publicly available in Spring 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Louise Sweeney said the reason the report is called \u2018Deaf People Wales: Hidden Inequality\u2019 because Deaf people are a hidden population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u201cWe do not know how many Deaf people in Wales are missing out on help and support from mental health services,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span style=\"color:#6d1f95\" class=\"has-inline-color\">We are keen to start a dialogue with the Welsh Government<\/span><\/p><cite><span style=\"color:#6d1f95\" class=\"has-inline-color\">The All Wales Mental Health and Well-being Group<\/span><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Louise is frustrated by the political emphasis on statistics. She said, \u201cVery often politicians will ask about numbers, but it\u2019s more about people\u2019s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The report has made recommendations such as deaf awareness training for all primary care staff, health providers recording patients\u2019 preferred language (for example, BSL) and establishing a lead for deaf CAMHS. It has received several supportive replies from Assembly members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mark Isherwood MS made a Member&#8217;s Legislative Proposal for a British Sign Language Bill in the last Senedd, which would \u2018improve access to education and services in BSL.\u2019 However, the proposal did not win the ballot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But since 40% of Deaf people are affected by this issue, the report calls for action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are keen to start a dialogue with the Welsh Government. There is scope for significant change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can read more about the Welsh deaf community <a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2021\/11\/09\/accessible-deaf-film-rebels-against-what-youre-told-deafness-is\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-vivid-purple-background-color has-vivid-purple-color\" \/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-1024x577.png\" alt=\"How the pandemic has isolated deaf people.\" class=\"wp-image-62416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-770x434.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-1363x768.png 1363w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-293x165.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-1400x789.png 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com.png 1640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-1024x577.png\" alt=\"How the pandemic has isolated deaf people.\" class=\"wp-image-62416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-770x434.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-1363x768.png 1363w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-293x165.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com-1400x789.png 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2021\/12\/boxout-2-digi-com.png 1640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>The pandemic has had negative effects on many deaf people&#8217;s mental health<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wales is the only country in the UK without a specialised deaf mental health service. A new report calls for the government to make a change<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":766,"featured_media":62470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7087,36,207,7937,1],"tags":[7614,7455,7450,7451,206],"coauthors":[7363],"class_list":["post-62392","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-long-reads","category-no-logo","category-no-logo-home","category-the-edit","category-uncategorised","tag-british-sign-language","tag-bsl","tag-deaf","tag-deafness","tag-mental-health"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Deaf mental health services in Wales: Silent Inequality<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" 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