Deaf persons experience mental health issues at the same rate as persons who hear. They can become depressed, anxious, hear voices, etc. Many deaf persons use sign language as their primary means of communication. When deaf persons seek mental health care they often face communication and cultural barriers that cause them to quickly drop out of services. Using interpreters in mental health treatment does not work well.
Mandate each state Department of Mental Health to create Regional Coordinators who are fluent in sign language and provide direct clinical services to deaf persons. Virginia has 5 such positions. The funding spent by states would be quickly recouped as deaf persons would receive sound treatment in the community instead of costly psychiatric hospitalizations.