History / Background

The South African Society for Mental Health and Deafness (SASMHD) was launched on 12 March 2003 during a 3-day workshop in Worcester at the National Institute for the Deaf and Lewensruimte for the Deaf (a care and development mini-village for adult Deaf persons with multiple disabilities) in close collaboration with members of the European Society for Mental Health and Deafness and the World Contact Group for Mental Health and Deafness.

The SASMHD was established out of concern for the mental health of all Deaf persons, irrespective the age of onset of deafness, degree and type of deafness or mode of communication.