Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Deafblind Mental Health
Cultivating Awareness of Crisis & Effective Communication Strategies
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Course Description
Mental Health Crisis in the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Community:
Wisconsin has a significant lack of accessible mental health (MH) and substance use (SU) services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind. In this workshop, participants will learn valuable information about the unique MH/SU needs of this marginalized community. Explore how individual providers and clinics can provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) to support accessibility for these individuals.
Learning Objectives:
• Learn about the unique mental health and substance use needs of individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind.
• Describe some challenges that the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind community has in accessing MH/SUD services.
• Explore how your clinic or practice can become more accessible.
Promoting Understanding: Cultivating Awareness and Sensitivity towards Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Perspectives:
This workshop aims to provide participants with insights into effective communication strategies for individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing. With over 500,000 such individuals in Wisconsin, understanding their unique cultural and communication needs is crucial for fostering inclusivity and accessibility.
Learning Objectives:
• Ensure participants understand and use appropriate terminology related to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind, promoting respectful language use.
• Cultivate cultural competence by exploring Deaf culture, including its history, language (American Sign Language), and values, to facilitate effective communication and engagement with individuals from these communities.
• Familiarize participants with available services and resources catering to individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing.
About the Trainer
Denise Johnson, BSW
Denise Johnson, a dedicated professional, serves as the Wisconsin Statewide Project Coordinator for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Mental Health (MH) Services for Persons who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind. She is an active member of the Greater Milwaukee Association of the Deaf (GMAD), National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Wisconsin Association of the Deaf (WAD), and the Wisconsin Independent Living Network, Mental Health and Substance Use committee.
In her role, Denise is committed to educating and fostering collaboration among Independent Living Centers, Substance Use/Mental Health services, and other agencies in Wisconsin, emphasizing effective approaches in working with individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind. Additionally, she provides crucial prevention and education initiatives for this community.
Denise is a valuable contributor to various organizations, serving on the Wisconsin State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA) and co-chairing the SCAODA Diversity Committee. She is actively involved with Deaf Social Services Providers (DSSP) and the Mental Health Alliance of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind. Furthermore, Denise holds the position of Treasurer for the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA) and the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf (WAD). She is one of the co-founding members of Deaf Unity in Wisconsin.