EdSign Lecture: The association between early life access to communication and mental health outcomes among deaf people: Findings from a national survey of the Australian deaf community by Visiting Scholar Ramas McRae

Description

Deaf people experience higher rates of adverse mental health than hearing people. This study examined how early life communication access impacts adult mental health among Deaf Australians. Using a retrospective cross-sectional design, 340 Deaf adults completed an Auslan-accessible survey. Logistic regression showed that attending mainstream schools (with or without deaf facilities) was associated with higher odds of depression and suicidal ideation compared to attending deaf schools. Lack of access to deaf spaces before age 18 was also linked to suicidal ideation. Findings highlight the critical role of early communication environments in shaping long-term mental health for deaf individuals.

Period	24 Jun 2025
Event type	Other
Location	United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	National