During the October 2004 Florida Coalition Conference in Orlando, Jacqueline Beck, from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Mental Health Office, discussed Florida's response to President Bush's New Freedom Commission Report on Mental Health. The Commission's goal is to promote treatment and recovery for Americans suffering from mental illnesses. Ms. Beck described how DCF is participating in the Elimination of Barriers Initiative (EBI), along with seven other states. This is a pilot program established by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMSHA). The goal is to identify effective approaches in addressing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.

Ms. Beck said that stigma and discrimination are among the many barriers that discourage people from seeking mental health care and contribute to the economic poverty and social isolation of those affected.

To begin the Florida Elimination of Barriers Initiative, a series of organizational meetings are being held, beginning in 2004 and continuing in 2005. For more information contact Jacqueline Beck at 850-921-5699 or jackie_beck@dcf.state.fl.us.

The term culturally “Deaf” refers to those persons who become deaf at an early age (before 3 years old), use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary means of communication, and who consider themselves to be part of the Deaf community. Late deafened older adults typically do not identify themselves as culturally Deaf and do not have the same cultural and linguistic needs. The specific linguistic and cultural differences and needs of the culturally Deaf elderly person often make the provision of services a challenge, and in many cases inappropriate, for professionals unfamiliar and untrained to work with Deaf people. Florida has, and will likely continue to have, the largest population of elderly Deaf in the U.S.

One of the biggest challenges facing the elderly Deaf person today is the lack of trained professionals with backgrounds in both gerontology and Deafness, who can also communicate through ASL directly with their Deaf patients. It is not enough to just write notes or use an interpreter. Language is not the only challenge involved, as elderly Deaf people are part of a larger Deaf culture as a whole. Competency in the various aspects of Deaf culture and how cultural factors might influence mental health issues is also required to provide quality services. Symptoms interpreted by untrained professionals may lead to misdiagnosis when applied to the elderly Deaf client. In working with Deaf people, appropriate training in the provision of mental health services is essential. Contact: David Feldman, PhD, Fellow in the Geropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, AMH, FMHI, USF, 813-974-0723.

© 2005, Florida Coalition for Optimal Mental Health & Aging