Alana Roy
Provisional Psychologist/ Mental Health Social Worker
PhD Candidate Deakin University
alana.roy@ableaustralia.org.au
0416 869 823
Supervisors:
Assoc. Professor Keith McVilly & Professor Beth Crisp
• The research
• The bio-psycho-social-cultural model
• Risk assessment
• Self-care and mindfulness strategies
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Questions for the field
• Few studies focus on suicide or self harm
• Little evidence that suicide rates are higher
• Higher levels of depression and risk
• No firm evidence of effective suicide prevention
in Deaf and Deafblind
(Turner, Windfuhr & Kapur, 2007)
Risk factors
• Identity confusion
• Social rejection/isolation
• Trauma
• Grief and loss
• Drug and alcohol
• Communication and access issues
• Few Deaf Deafblind role models
The Bio-psycho-social-cultural model of Deaf and Deafblind mental health and
wellbeing
Biological
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Aetiology & genetics of
Deafness/Deafblindness
Impact of on the body across the
lifespan
Additional disability
Physical health
Psychological
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Social
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Type of education
Family & peers
Services & professionals
Recreation programs
Access to Deaf and Deafblind
technology
Access to Deaf and Deafblind role
models
Thoughts
Feelings
Behaviours
IQ
Personality & self esteem
Coping & social skills
Cultural
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Born Deaf/Blind or Deafblind
Acquired Deaf or Deafblindness
Accept or reject disability
Sign language or oral
Identify as CALD and or with
mainstream
alana.roy@ableaustralia.org.au