Upcoming Event: Joining Forces 2024 - A Focus on Mental Health and Deafness
We are excited to announce that Michael Schwartz will be a panelist at the Joining Forces 2024 conference in Haarlem, The Netherlands, from February 6 to 9. Hosted by the European Society for Mental Health and Deafness, this event is pivotal for professionals in mental health care for the Deaf community.
Michael, along with Brian Symington from Northern Ireland, co-authored the influential 2014 Belfast Statement, advocating for the human rights of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in mental health care. This Statement, grounded in the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, emphasizes the necessity of effective communication.
At the conference, Michael and Brian will discuss the Belfast Statement's significance and their efforts to promote therapists skilled in sign language. This approach aims to provide direct, face-to-face therapeutic services to the Deaf community, bypassing the need for interpreters. Their participation underscores a crucial drive towards inclusivity and specialized care in mental health services.
The Joining Forces 2024 conference is a significant event focusing on the advancement of mental health care for the Deaf, including those Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, or Deaf-Blind. It brings together experts and professionals to share knowledge, strategies, and collaborate on specialized care.
For more detailed information about the conference, please visit the Joining Forces 2024 website.
