Complicated Grief after Murder of Deaf Young Man

Deaf Counseling Center’s Dr. Candace McCullough and Sharon Duchesneau share some thoughts on the complicated nature of grief after murder of Grant Whitaker by Mavrick Martin Fisher and offer support to the national Deaf community in the form of pro bono counseling sessions to those who may be directly impacted by the situation, yet lack insurance to access therapy.

Candace: Sharon and I would like to share some thoughts after this past week’s news about Grant Whitaker’s alleged murder by Mavrick Martin Fisher.

Different Grief Process

Sharon: The grief process following a death by murder is very different and more complicated than that of a death by natural causes such as a heart attack or illness.

Anger as Normal Reaction

Candace: This is because the death is caused by another person, and not simply a natural cause. Anger is a normal reaction and it is okay to feel angry. To add to the complexity, many people in the Deaf community may know one or both of the people involved. For example, we know Grant, with whom we traveled to China on a Deaf school trip with our daughter, and we all have memories of a wonderful time with him. We also know Mav, whom we met with his dad at a national Deaf Academic Bowl reception back when he was young. I’m sure that many people are impacted by this situation, including teachers, friends, and family members. The fact that Mav was well-known on a national basis for his vlogs in which he shared his dreams with the community makes this hit even closer to home for many people.

Danger of Assumptions

Sharon: The public nature of this situation adds to the complexity of grief in the community. People have been sharing their opinions, perspectives, stories, and assumptions online – and these can be difficult for family members and friends of the men to see. None of us have all the information about exactly what happened and the history behind this. Some people have shared concerns that the Deaf community should have been able to prevent this from happening somehow. Again, we can’t assume anything. It’s possible that help was offered or that Mav sought help in the past. We just don’t know, so it’s important that we be mindful of what we say in public, especially online.

Duty of Confidentiality of Professionals

Candace: It’s also interesting that if Mav did get help, those professionals are not able to say so, due to confidentiality reasons.

Sharon: I think when discussing this – of course, it’s important for us as a Deaf community to discuss how we can support people who may be dealing with difficult situations. When we say that no one helped him, however, we may be indirectly placing blame on people close to him, such as family, friends, teachers and others who were close to him and knew him well. We can’t assume they did nothing. Maybe they didn’t or maybe they did.

Deaf Mental Health Stigma

Candace: Also, it’s important to address stigma related to mental health, which is likely to be a factor here, but again, we don’t know the full story. In general, only a very, very small percentage of people dealing with mental illnesses commit crimes like murder. The majority of these people are fine and harmless – we don’t want to see the stigma about people with mental illness being blown out of proportion and spreading unnecessary fear. Let’s be careful about this.

National Legal System and Deaf People

Sharon: Yes, that’s right. Another issue that is coming up here relates to the national legal system. Now we have an alleged murder, which means we are looking at issues related to the court process, a trial, lawyers, interpreting access, fairness, individual rights – all of which are triggers for our Deaf community.

Candace: I think that Deaf people as a whole already have a difficult experience with trying navigate the legal system.

Sharon: Yes, that’s something to keep in mind with the many layers of complexity in this situation, in particular, while we are waiting for answers and things are still unknown. This makes people feel sensitive. It’s a difficult thing.

Pro Bono Deaf Counseling and Therapy Services

Candace: We’d like to offer free counseling/therapy to anyone who is directly impacted by this situation, but who may not have insurance to access counseling/therapy. Please feel free to contact us and we can discuss how we can provide support through the grief process.

Sharon: Thank you.

Candace: Good bye.

(video description: Sharon and Candace, Deaf therapists, (l-r) are seated on a sofa, signing their comments.) Deaf Counseling Center offers national Deaf therapy services.

References:

https://www.facebook.com/TheDailyMoth/videos/2205459446424784/

https://www.facebook.com/TheDailyMoth/videos/492864761281393/?v=492864761281393

https://www.facebook.com/TheDailyMoth/videos/live-mavrick-fisher-in-custody-in-mexico-for-suspected-murder-of-grant-whitakerl/293300168202592/

https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/08/27/missing-mendocino-camper-body-found-companion-arrested-in-mexico/

https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-dc/legacy/2013/08/07/coping_after_homicide.pdf

https://victimconnect.org/learn/types-of-crime/homicide-and-grief/

https://deafcounseling.com/recommended-films/ Films on Grief/Loss

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Dr. Candace A. McCullough Deaf Counseling Center Receives 2018 Best of North Bethesda Award
North Bethesda Award Program Honors the Achievement

NORTH BETHESDA November 1, 2018 — Dr. Candace A. McCullough Deaf Counseling Center has been selected for the 2018 Best of North Bethesda Award in the Mental Health and Addiction Services category by the North Bethesda Award Program. Deaf Counseling Center provides both in-person and videophone therapy to Deaf clients on a national basis. Each year, the North Bethesda Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the North Bethesda area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2018 North Bethesda Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the North Bethesda Award Program and data provided by third parties.
About North Bethesda Award Program
The North Bethesda Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the North Bethesda area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The North Bethesda Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: North Bethesda Award Program

CONTACT:
North Bethesda Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@inrecognition.org
URL: http://www.inrecognition.org
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Iowa Deaf Community Comes Together in Support of Sexual Assault Survivors
APRIL 8, 2018, BY YESSENIA CHAVEZ

The Iowa Deaf community came together on Sunday afternoon to kick off National Crime Victims Rights Week.

The Deaf Iowan’s Against Abuse organization hosted “Heels for Hope” at the Elks Lodge in Rock Island.

Heels for HOPE is a nationwide program where people walk in heels to show solidarity for women and men who have been victims of sexual assault.

Sheli Barber, deaf psychotherapist and CJ Jones a Comedian who played a role in the 2017 summer movie “Baby Driver” were the keynote speakers at the event.

Barber focused her presentation on the #MeToo movement and where it started.

“It’s to raise awareness and accountability because we want perpetrators of sexual assault and violence to be held accountable for their actions,” said Barber.

Jones spoke out about his own hardship experiences of growing up deaf, and gave a speech of never giving up hope.

“It’s our responsibility to work together be there for each other we’re one people one world,” said Jones.

Members and allies strutted in high heels to raise awareness on sexual assault. The goal of the event is to shed light on survivors in the wake of the Me Too movement.

Executive Director of the DIAA, JenniferUpah-Kyes, said members of the deaf community have a higher chance of being a victim of violence than the general population due to communication barriers. According to the Bureau of Justice, a National Survey said those with disabilities are at least 2 and a half times more likely to be victims of violence between the years 2009-2015.

The goal of the event is to spread a message of hope and inclusiveness. Organizers say it’s also a chance to show that there is help and resources for those going through trauma.

“That’s the point of this Heels for Hope event…(to show) we walk together and no one is alone,” said Upah Kyes.

Reference:

http://wqad.com/2018/04/08/iowa-deaf-community-comes-together-in-support-of-sexual-assault-survivors/

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There have been a lot of shootings recently – in schools, Las Vegas and other places. People blame mental illness as the cause of this, but that is wrong. It perpetuates the stigma against mental illness.

In reality, most people who are mentally ill are not dangerous. Only a very, very small percentage are. Blaming mentally ill people for gun violence needs to stop. If you can envision two circles, one representing people with mental illness and the other representing people who are violent, the little part where they overlap is the very small percentage of people who are mentally ill and dangerous. This is less than 4% of people who are violent and dangerous.

If you believe that mental illness causes gun violence, strangely, you should see equal numbers of men and women using gun violence, but men far outnumber women when it comes to gun violence. This does not make sense, because both men and women can have mental illness, but both do not engage in gun violence.

When people who are mentally ill get ahold of a gun, they are more likely to use it for suicide purposes. They do not tend to shoot other people. If they do shoot other people, it is more often family members, friends or coworkers with whom they may have a grievance. The do not usually use guns for mass shootings.

Also, if you believe than mental illness causes gun violence, look at the rest of the world. The US has far higher numbers of gun violence than other countries such as Japan have far lower numbers. Mental illness is a universal phenomenon so the statistics do not make sense.

Even if psychologists and counselors diagnose people with mental illness, they cannot predict who will become violent and shoot people. There is more chance of recognizing risk of gun violence by looking at factors such as history of violence, including domestic violence and hurting others. History of two or more DUI convictions in five years also increases risk. Additionally, two or more convictions of drug-related crimes in five years are associated with increased risk of gun violence. Gun violence is typically correlated with rage, impulsivity, reaction to job loss or divorce and alcohol use.

People who suffer from mental illness often have no voice to defend themselves. They are more likely to be victims of crime themselves, than to conduct crimes against others.

Blaming mental illness as the cause of gun violence diverts our attention from the real causes. These are the need for gun control laws and for dealing with social and economic problems in society. These are the issues that we need to look at.

We need to stop targeting mental illness and look at the real causes so we can make improvements. If you see people blaming mental illness for gun violence, it is important that you correct them so they can disseminate the right information about gun violence This will help show support for people with people illnesses.

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A disproportionate amount of attention is given to the perceived “benefits” of speaking and hearing, no matter how perfectly or imperfectly the Deaf child is able to do this. Very little attention is given to the social, emotional, psychological, and educational harms that occur when Deaf children are denied access to ASL. These deserve attention.

Anyone invested in Deaf children’s well-being should be aware of the costs incurred when teaching spoken English comes at the expense of healthy development in other areas.

To read more about the psychological impact of oralism, see below for a link to an article co-authored by Sharon Duchesneau and the letter writer.

http://sk.sagepub.com/reference/download/the-sage-deaf-studies-encyclopedia/i3490.pdf

Dr. Candace A. McCullough, CEO
Deaf Counseling Center

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Electronic Means of Interpretation: The bill gets it very wrong on several other counts, however. First, it specifies that the interpretation can be done via electronic means. This could mean video remote interpreting (VRI), which would involve the Deaf child watching and talking to an interpreter who is not present in the room, but working from another location and visible on a computer screen. This is not appropriate. An abuse investigation is highly stressful for the child, has legal ramifications, and requires a live interpreter in the room who is able to communicate with the child at the child’s level, mentally and physically. Even worse than VRI, the bill’s mention of an electronic medium of interpretation could mean typed English. No Deaf child undergoing an abuse investigation should be expected to communicate in a second language, period.

Certified AND Qualified Interpreters: Third, the bill notes that the interpreting may be done using an interpreter who is “trained” in ASL. It states that the interpreter may be a volunteer. No on both counts. Any interpreter working in this type of situation must be a certified professional interpreter, preferably one who has both legal and mental health training. Certification alone, however, is not enough. There must be oversight and validation of the interpreter’s credentials and qualifications by Deaf professionals and community members. It is unethical to leave the determination of who is qualified to interpret up to an individual or agency with no professional credibility in this area. Ideally, a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) will be available as well, to facilitate communication. The best person to understand and communicate with a Deaf child in this situation is often another Deaf person whose first language is ASL and who understands the nuances of children’s signing. An even more ideal solution is to hire Deaf investigators and social workers who can work directly with the Deaf child, reducing the need for interpreters and the complications involved.

Compounding Trauma: As mental health professionals, we cannot condone the Tennessee bill. It needs to be rewritten, with more precise language specifying requirements for certified interpreters and CDIs in cases involving Deaf children and suspected domestic abuse or child abuse. More attention needs to be paid to behind-the-scenes moves of companies such as sComm, which sells the UbiDuo2, a device for typed communication. sComm may be promoting self-interest in advocating for passage of this bill. If the bill passes, Deaf children stand to experience additional trauma as a result of inadequate interpreting access, on top of any trauma they may have already experienced. The system must protect Deaf children, not set them up for additional emotional and mental abuse.

Related articles:

Doing More Harm than Good by Trudy Suggs

Open Letter to Jason Curry, sComm CEO by Trudy Suggs

Bill allows volunteer interpreters for deaf in abuse allegations by The Tennessean

Tennessee General Assembly SB0594 and HB0672

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Missouri Association of the Deaf Win Suit Against State

From KBIA

May 11, 2012
By ASSOCIATED PRESS

A federal judge has approved settlement of a lawsuit filed on behalf of more than 1,000 deaf Missourians over mental health services for the deaf.

U.S. District Judge Matt Whitworth approved the settlement Thursday in Jefferson City in a suit filed by the Missouri Association of the Deaf and 13 named plaintiffs. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say about 20 percent of deaf persons in need of mental health services are children.

The suit accused the state of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide adequate mental health care for the deaf. Among many provisions, the settlement requires greater availability of sign language interpreters and development of outpatient and inpatient centers staffed with clinicians and case managers trained in aiding the deaf.

http://kbia.org/post/missouri-association-deaf-win-suit-against-state

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2012/05/11/settlement-okd-over-deaf-mental-health-services/

TAGS: missouri associaton of the deaf Jefferson City judge matt whitworth lawsuit

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Alternative Solutions Center’s Crusade in Addressing the Gaps in Mental Health Care for the Deaf

The post ASC Featured in SIGNews appeared first on Deaf Counseling Center.

Suing for Equity in Services: Early last month in Florida, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc., together with the National Association of the Deaf, filed a lawsuit seeking accessible medical services for Deaf citizens in the state. The lawsuit charges Humana Insurance and the Florida Department of Financial Services with violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Humana providers allegedly refused to provide ASL interpreters for Deaf patients. Humana also refused to accept VRS calls from Deaf members.

A National Issue: Although this lawsuit was filed in Florida, the issue is a national one and the results will carry implications across the country. Very few insurance companies reimburse providers for the cost of interpreters during appointments and very few providers willingly pay for interpreters. Deaf consumers are left with few options for accessible medical and mental health services. It is also typical for insurance companies to give Deaf members a list of in-network providers who claim to be fluent in ASL, but who, in reality, have often taken only one or two ASL classes and have minimal or no knowledge of ASL and Deaf culture. When Deaf consumers voice complaints, both the insurance company and the providers point fingers at each other, refusing to take responsibility.

Best Solution: So, what is the ideal solution for meeting Deaf consumers’ needs? We offer the following guidelines to insurance companies:

1. When it’s an option, make it possible for the Deaf person to see a Deaf provider fluent in ASL. This should be a priority and the preferred standard of care over matching the Deaf consumer with a hearing therapist who signs or a hearing therapist and an interpreter. If this means authorizing out-of-network services, do it. Research shows that psychotherapy sessions and certain types of medical consultations can be conducted successfully using videophones and webcams. Studies also show that Deaf people prefer working with Deaf therapists and that utilizing interpreters in psychotherapy sessions not the best option.

2. Hire a consultant to evaluate in-network providers’ ASL skills. Require hearing providers to hold national sign language interpreting certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) or meet an advanced level of ASL proficiency. If providers fail to meet this standard, remove them from the list of providers who are qualified to work with Deaf consumers.

3. Require in-network providers to provide ASL interpreters, period. If they refuse, take them off the provider list.

Really, it is as simple as that.

Click here to read the full article about the lawsuit: Humana, State of Florida Sued for ADA Violations

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December 3-4, 2010
Little Theatre – California School for the Deaf
39350 Gallaudet Drive
Fremont, California 94538

SHOW TIMES
Friday Evening: 7:30PM ~ December 3, 2010
Saturday Matinee: 2PM ~ December 4, 2010
Saturday Evening: 7:30PM ~ December 4, 2010

Go to www.deafmonologues.com to buy tickets!

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