Research breakthrough

One of our members from Northern Ireland has been involved in research from Queen’s University Belfast which suggests deaf children are more at risk of developing mental health and emotionally wellbeing issues – compared to children who can hear.

The research commissioned by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust identified current and future service needs relating to the mental health and emotional wellbeing of deaf children through the lens of a human rights framework.

Key findings included:

• Deaf children are more at risk of developing: depression, anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder, OCD, panic disorder, and separation anxiety disorder compared to hearing children.
• Almost 21% of deaf children reported having at least one psychological condition compared to about 12% of hearing children. 

Dr Holly Greer, Consultant Psychiatrist and Chair of Child and Adolescent Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland said:

“This research is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland to really quantify and highlight the mental health needs of deaf children and young people.

“It has helped us understand how to shape any future service around what is important to young people and families and will help to provide the evidence of need for a service to bring us in line with NHS England.”

Back to our November 2022 eNewsletter.