Video image description: A closeup of a man signing into the camera.

Hello! My name is Bryen and I am DeafBlind. In a professional capacity, I have worked with various groups of DeafBlind individuals. I also receive services from a mental health professional.

Through my experience of working and being a part of the DeafBlind community I have come to learn that you have to approach each person as a unique individual. As mental health professionals, this program will teach you how to interact with DeafBlind clients and what resources are available for you and your clients.

Often, DeafBlind people live in isolation. As these individuals face difficult situations they frequently don’t have anyone to process with or turn to. This can cause frustrations and difficulties to build up within the person.

This makes your role as a mental health professional all the more important. You will be there to listen and the one they turn to. This program will teach you how to both listen and respond to DeafBlind individuals.  It will also teach you how to find salient resources, the different roles that families can play in the life of an individual who is DeafBlind, how their cultural identity comes into play, why the onset of their vision and hearing matter, and other various factors that may impact a DeafBlind person’s life.

It’s crucial that mental health professionals really understand that the DeafBlind population is unlike any other population. There are so many factors that can affect their mental health and your work with them. We hope you enjoy the program. [End of Transcript]