The Deaf Bulletin 2015 Issue 1
Mental Health: The importance of language to mental well being.
Mental health is as important as physical health. A healthy mind causes one to live a happy life. Language offers a basic foundation for the development of a healthy mind. It is important for Deaf children to acquire sign language very early on in life to enable them to live a fulfilling life in their communities.
Mental wellness is the absence of stress or worry, opportunities for self-realisation and a satisfying life. Deaf people experience greater problems in achieving mental well-being than the hearing, because of the communication problems they face in everyday life. Deaf people face many social, communication and educational barriers in daily life that increase the likelihood of the development of mental problems.
According to the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), over 90% of Deaf children are born into hearing families who have no previous knowledge of Deafness or sign language. This creates problems and slows the child’s development including language, familial and social relationships as well as access to information and education. The child may feel isolated and this will create problems of mental well-being.
Other topics covered in this bulletin are:
- Importance of sign language for deaf children.
- Promoting self esteem in Deaf Children.
- ZBC News Improvement – Congrats for having Sign Language.
- “I WONDER HOW THIS YATCH GOT STD ON THE LIPS…lol”.
- Be observant with your child.