On 2–3 November 2025, DAWN supported a Mental Health Awareness Event for the Deaf Community held at the Faculty of Psychology and Social Work, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). The two-day programme brought together members of the Deaf community, parents of Deaf children, university students, and allied health professionals to promote greater understanding, inclusion, and support for Deaf mental health.
The event aimed to create a shared learning space where Deaf individuals, families, and professionals could exchange knowledge and experiences, while strengthening awareness of mental wellbeing and accessible services for the Deaf community.
Learning Together Across Communities
The programme welcomed a diverse group of participants from around Kota Kinabalu, including Deaf adults, parents of Deaf children, psychology students, and allied health professionals. By bringing different groups together, the event highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Deaf community, families, and service providers in supporting mental health and inclusion.
The sessions were led by Mr. Herbert Klein, an internationally recognised Deaf mental health specialist, and Dr. Louise Munro, a psychologist specialising in Deaf mental health and culturally affirmative practice. All sessions were delivered with full sign language access to ensure inclusive participation.
Understanding Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
The first session, “Understanding Mental Health,” was attended by 42 participants and focused on increasing mental health awareness among Deaf adults. Participants explored emotional wellbeing, stress management, and available support systems, while engaging in open discussions about mental health within the Deaf community. Many shared reflections on the importance of Deaf leadership and peer-led conversations in strengthening community resilience and self-advocacy.
Supporting Parents and Deaf Children
The session “Raising Deaf Children” involved 34 participants, comprising 23 adults and 11 children. Parents learned practical strategies for communication, emotional support, and inclusive parenting, while children participated in interactive activities. The session highlighted the importance of strong communication within families, with participants expressing interest in continued learning opportunities such as BIM classes and parent support groups.
Building Awareness Among Future Professionals
On the second day, the session “Understanding Services and Accommodations for the Deaf Community” was attended by 76 participants, mainly psychology students and service providers. The session helped participants better understand accessibility needs, accommodations, and inclusive practices when working with Deaf individuals, encouraging them to advocate for more equitable and culturally responsive services.
Strengthening Inclusive Allied Health Care
The final session, “Inclusive Care: Supporting Deaf Clients in Allied Health Settings,” was attended by 19 allied health professionals, including psychologists, counsellors, therapists, and healthcare staff. Participants explored practical tools and communication strategies to improve service quality for Deaf clients and reflected on how communication needs directly affect the effectiveness of care.
Overall Participation and Impact
Across the four sessions, a total of 171 participant attendances were recorded. Participants reported increased awareness, understanding, and confidence in addressing mental health and accessibility for the Deaf community. The programme reinforced the importance of Deaf-led perspectives, family involvement, and professional responsibility in creating inclusive mental health and allied health services.
This Mental Health Awareness Event marked an important step toward strengthening collaboration between the Deaf community, families, students, and professionals, and highlighted the continued need for accessible, culturally responsive mental health education in Sabah and beyond.
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