Deaf and Disabled Londoners access to mental health services – London Assembly report

Disabled and Deaf people are more likely to experience poor mental health than the wider population. The London Assembly’s summary report on Deaf and Disabled Londoners’ access to mental health services.

First page of the London Assembly's Mental Health - Deaf and Disabled people report

The London Assembly Health Committee is today launching its summary report on Deaf and Disabled Londoners’ access to mental health services. The report is based on extensive submissions to the committee, as well as presentations and discussion heard during the committee’s meeting with experts in January 2017 and a visit to the National Deaf Centre at Springfield University Hospital in March.

Download the report here: London Assembly Deaf and Disabled report (final)

Key findings of the report include:

  • Disabled and Deaf people are more likely to experience poor mental health than the wider population.
  • As life expectancy rises, we can expect to see more people living with impairments in the future.
  • Disabled and Deaf people face additional barriers to accessing appropriate support at every stage of the mental health pathway, from prevention to crisis.
  • Mental health services are not always good at dealing with the physical needs of service users, while disability services often overlook psychological needs. This is not good news for those who have both.
  • Supporting independent living is a critical component of enabling good mental wellbeing for disabled and Deaf people.
  • Joined up policy is needed to tackle issues such as housing, transport, employment and crime. These contribute to a disabling society that damages mental health.
  • Only by including the voices of disabled and Deaf people will we be able to create services that meet their needs.
  • The Mayor has significant opportunities to improve mental wellbeing for these groups through his policies and programmes.

A BSL summary of the report is also available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIIt3UMiqjY

The Health Committee would also appreciate any feedback you might have on the recommendations to the Mayor. The committee will formally submit the report to the Mayor today, and will request a response within three months. The findings of the report will also feed into the committee’s larger work on mental health and marginalised communities, which will be due later this year.

If you have any comments, contact healthcommittee@london.gov.uk

Download the report here: London Assembly Deaf and Disabled report (final)

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