Enhancing the Accessibility of Public Mental Health Services in Queensland to Meet the Needs of Deaf People From an Indigenous Australian or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Background

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this paper was to identify the accessibility barriers that deaf people from an Indigenous Australian or culturally and linguistically diverse background encounter when attempting to access public mental health services in Queensland.

Method: Consultation with key stakeholders was undertaken.

Results: Many of the barriers that deter deaf Indigenous Australians from accessing public mental health services in Queensland, in addition to preventing them from having access to the same continuum of care available to hearing English-speaking people were identified.

Conclusions: Deaf Indigenous Australians encounter significant barriers when they seek to access public mental health services in Queensland. If these barriers are to be dissolved to ensure access to the same continuum of mental health care available to hearing English-speaking then a series of education and training, research and resource strategies need to be further addressed.