Webcam helpline for Deaf people in Scotland goes live

Breathing Space launches British Sign Language service

DEAF people in Scotland struggling to cope emotionally can now get support from a groundbreaking webcam helpline that officially goes live today (Wednesday, December 16).

Callers can contact trained advisers who use British Sign Language (BSL) via a webcam to discuss their problems in confidence.

The out-of-hours webcam service is the first of its kind in Britain and can be accessed at www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

Deaf people througout Scotland can communicate directly with a BSL adviser rather than having to relay their worries through a third party such as a sign language interpreter.

Around 40 per cent of Deaf people compared with 25 per cent of hearing people have a mental health problem at some point in their life.

The new BSL service is run by Breathing Space, the free, anonymous and confidential phone line and website for people in Scotland experiencing low mood or depression.

The one-year pilot project is being supported by NHS 24, Scottish Council on Deafness and Deaf Connections and is being funded by the Scottish Government's e-health department.

Breathing Space National Coordinator Tony McLaren said: "It's vital that anyone who is experiencing difficulty can access support no matter who they are or where they live and this new webcam service can help Deaf Scots get the support they need.

"Rather than having to use a BSL interpreter to relay their concerns, a Deaf user can communicate directly to our advisers in their own language."

Lilian Lawson, Director of Scottish Council on Deafness (SCoD), said: "SCoD has always actively campaigned for fuller access to mental health services, including counselling for Deaf people. 

"We are delighted that Breathing Space has taken a positive step
forward in recruiting BSL advisers so that Deaf Sign Language users
can access this important service.

"We hope that other health services will follow this example for their online helplines and other services."

Deaf Connections Community Services Manager John Speirs said: "Deaf Connections is delighted to see this innovative support service become a reality for Deaf people. 

"Deaf people who are sign language users have to deal with communication barriers preventing them from accessing many of the positive services and resources which can often make a vital difference to people's wellbeing and ability to manage the day-to-day difficulties which affect us all.

"Accessing Breathing Space in BSL breaks down these barriers and will encourage people to use the service confident in the knowledge that communication will be in their own language and will acknowledge deaf cultural experience."

The service can be accessed at www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk and will be open on:

Wednesday 6pm-10pm
Thursday 6.30pm-10pm
Saturday 9am-12.30pm
Sunday 2pm-6pm