Advocating for the development of sign language and caring for the mental well-being of the deaf  

Ms Chu Man-him (Him), a clinical psychologist, fortuitously learned about sign language during her university studies and thereby began her journey with the community of the deaf. She gradually realized that the lack of social support has hindered effective communication between the deaf/hard-of-hearing and hearing individuals. As a result, the deaf face various challenges in their daily lives, which can have a significant impact on their mental well-being.

After graduation, she was motivated to support the community of the deaf and committed herself to developing mental health services and sign language for them in Hong Kong. As a sign language interpreter, Him gained a deeper understanding of the difficulties and emotional needs faced by deaf individuals. One particular incident stood out to her when she provided interpretation services for a young deaf individual and his parents. The parents had struggled for years to communicate effectively with their son in sign language, resulting in misunderstandings and growing distance between them. Throughout the conversation, she felt the emotional burden carried by the deaf individuals, as well as the frustration, misattunement and trauma that arose from communication disconnects.

In 2019, Him and her partners noticed that the deaf community in Hong Kong was facing challenges of keeping up with social events, and their knowledge about relevant policies and rights was limited. To help out, they started a project called “Deaf Classroom Hong Kong”. They shared knowledge on various topics through workshops and classes, so to enhance the self-advocacy and problem-solving skills of the community and reduce their uneasiness about living in a hearing-dominated society. Him was also participated in the “Touch My Heart” project to develop mental health databases in sign language, provide individual psychotherapy for the deaf and train mental health interpreters.

“Many deaf individuals desire care and respect just like their hearing counterparts. However, most people have a limited understanding of them and sign language, resulting in societal designs and systems that often fail to respond to their needs. This creates challenges for them in seeking support, as they cannot effectively communicate their needs.” Due to the limited opportunities for the public to interact with the deaf, their needs are often overlooked. Him endeavors to safeguard the rights of them. “Sometimes, established societal norms and existing systems fail to accommodate the needs and rights of marginalised groups. Thus, it is essential to step forward and advocate alongside them.”

Him and her team are dedicated to continuing their efforts in promoting the mental well-being of the deaf community. She hopes for a society that embraces diversity, where “Everyone, by considering the needs of the deaf and providing appropriate assistance in their respective roles, can bring about positive change in the mental well-being and lives of them.”

“Humanity is about respecting, safeguarding, and, if necessary, defending the dignity and needs of others.”