Non Profit Organization: Reg nr 164-239 NPO
Deaf persons and their families are faced with enormous communication barriers when they need to access mental health care and services. The risk is that they are misdiagnosed, which results in inappropriate treatment.
Communication difficulties often lead to the incorrect use of medication. Lack of Deaf friendly information contributes to years of suffering of Deaf persons from conditions that can be treated effectively over a short period of time. Psychiatrists and psychologists specialising in mental health and deafness identified several Deaf-specific concerns mental health professionals should be aware of when diagnosing and prescribing treatment.
The SASMHD:
– provides a network and database for mental health professionals and workers who render services to Deaf persons and their families who experience mental health difficulties. This national and international network offers the opportunity to exchange and broaden knowledge and expertise beneficial for both service providers and users (Deaf persons and their families) of services – promotes positive health and wellbeing for Deaf persons and their families through deaf friendly information and support to mental health service providers – advocates Sign Language proficiency amongst mental health professionals and workers – supports the training of Deaf persons in mental health professions – organise and coordinate special interest groups or forums e.g. hearing parents with Deaf children, deaf parents with hearing children, Deaf children with hearing parents, hearing children with Deaf parents, Deaf professionals in mental health, teachers of Deaf learners, health and wellbeing forum, medication concerns -identify areas for research and liaise with research and training centres – strife to build a diverse and committed membership basis.
Latest News:
Message of Condolence
The passing away of Mrs. Lisa Stones It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of the wife of our chairman, Mr. Tim Stones. Mrs. Lisa Stones passed away on the 10th August 2018. All our prayers go out to Mr. Tim Stones, Brendan, Rory and the rest of the family....
read moreSASMHD Executive Commitee
SASMHD Executive Committee elected at the Biennial Members meeting on 2March 2018 ...
read moreNotice Biennial Meeting of Members: 2 March 2018
Notice to members of the South African Society for Mental Health and Deafness The Biennial Meeting of members will take place on 2nd March 2018 at 14:45 at the Auditorium of the Weskoppies Hospital, Ketjen Street, Pretoria. The meeting will be preceded by a Conference...
read moreMemorial service for Mr. Ernest W Kleinschmidt – 6 December at 10h00
The Memorial service for Mr. Ernest W Kleinschmidt who passed away on November 27 will take place on Wednesday, December 6 at 10:00 am at the Durbanville Memorial Park, Corner of Darwin and Klipheuwel Road, Durbanville, Cape Town. Die Gedenkdiens vir Mnr. Ernest W...
read moreIn Memoriam: Mr Ernest Kleinschmidt
The South African Society for Mental Health and Deafness (SASMHD) is deeply saddened by the passing on of Ernest W Kleinschmidt on Monday, 27 November 2017. He was a well-known leader and activist in the Deaf community and one of the founding members of the South...
read moreRegistration as Non-Profit Organisation
On 12 January 2016 the South African Society for Mental Health and Deafness (SASMHD) was registered as Non-Profit Organisation in terms of the Non-Profit Organisations Act, 1997 (Act 71 of 1997). The registration number is 164-239 NPO.
read moreScientific Conference 24 July 2015: Documents
Scientific Conference 24 July 2015: Programme and Presentations Scientific Morning Programme SASMHD Paul De Wet Deaf MH Psychiatry Funeka Sokudela SASMHD historical perspective July 2015...
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