Mental health services for deaf persons have received increasing
attention over the past decades (R1557271, R1557272). However,
relatively little research has focused on the perspectives of
deaf consumers, even though approximately 22 million people in
the United States have hearing losses (R1557273). Hearing loss
primarily affects language and communication. In fact, the
median English literacy of deaf high school graduates is the
equivalent of 4.5 grades (R1557274). Since American Sign
Language has its own unique vocabulary and grammar,
practitioners with normal hearing and deaf individuals who use
American Sign Language often lack a common language (R1557271,
R1557274, R1557275). In this study we sought an understanding of
the deaf community's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about
mental health and illness. Fifty-four deaf volunteers, 18 to 78
years old, from eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware
were interviewed in 1994 and 1995. Participants were recruited
through live announcements at events