History
Karli Dettman’s timeline of Deaf Mental Health History
This timeline is based on Karli’s involvement with Deaf Mental Health (DMH) and Psychology since 1992. It explores how her interest and involvement evolved. This is a story in Auslan between Karli and Neil, an old family friend who also supports DMH.
Early childhood
When Karli was young, she met Neil Wood and his family. They grew up knowing each other quite well. Karli shares a story with Neil about Language Deprivation and her experience at Princess Elizabeth Kindergarten for the Deaf (PEJS) with his younger Deaf brother, David Wood.
1991
Karli engages in sessions with a psychologist at the suggestion of Marianne Bridge, who was working as an interpreter at that time at Jolimont Community Centre. She had suggested that Karli see a psychologist.1992-1998
Karli studied a BA psychology and MA in mental health counselling at Gallaudet University, Washington DC, USA.
Karli can recall that in 1997, one of her Deaf professors talked about providing a Mental Health workshop for Deaf participants and how they learned a lot about what it is. Karli wondered why it was so special to talk about mental health (MH).
As a part of her work as a Gallaudet Peer Health educator in 1997 – 1998, Karli also studied and practised yoga with a group of deaf friends and made a commitment to practise yoga four times a week. She found it helped her MH so much.
1998-2001
Karli worked with Deaf children, adults and their families as a Child Mental Health Worker and Community Worker/Counsellor at NHS, in the UK.2001
Karli with Simon, her husband at the time, set up her counselling business where she started to see a few Deaf clients first at her home and then later, at a rented venue. Karli started to wonder about studying Health psychology.2005-2007
Karli worked three days per week for John Pierce Centre, Prahran, as a Family Support Coordinator. She met Deaf clients for counselling as well as providing family support at client’s homes.2005-2006
Karli studied a Yoga Teacher Training course for two years and started her own personal yoga practice and taught yoga classes.2010 -2015
Neil asked her to travel to Brisbane to run a yoga retreat for Deaf adults. Neil was supportive of Karli’s work in counselling and yoga. Neil also ran his own business called Green Door. Then, Neil offered come to Melbourne to give a presentation about his own experiences with depression. This was attended by 20 attendees.2015
Simon asked Karli if she wanted to raise funds in order to raise DMH awareness and provide education on the topic. This came about after listening to her work stories in mental health, which had had identifying details kept private.
They organised a yearlong fundraiser event in conjunction with Deaf Bushwalking Victoria (DBV) which held some 10 walking events annually. The fundraising walk was held in November 2015 and raised about $5000. This money was used initially to create DMH literature and then it was handed over to Deaf Victoria for research. The project collected data for Gary Kerridge, volunteer, and Melissa Lowre, former General manager of Deaf Victoria, to use in presentations at the Let's Talk about Mental Health and Deaf people. Recommendations were compiled in the Report, see below link
2018
Ben Souter, a highly respected Auslan-English interpreter and an old friend of Karli's, passed away suddenly. He and his best friend Kevin Pare were interested in making Deaf MH more accessible. Unfortunately, Ben’s passing thwarted this idea. So, the Deaf Mental Health Fund (DMHF) was set up in late 2018 with support from KHC marketing person, Hailley Reynolds and Karli.2019
Karli successfully applied for a Facebook grant of about $5000 to train Deaf people to be leaders for DBV to enhance mental health and wellbeing Facebook filmed DBV in October 2019, see below link
2019-2023
The DMHF team was run by Teresa Cumpston Bird, Claire Black, Karli Dettman and Neil Wood. Claire was the chairperson.In 2020, Karli had noted the six unique Deaf traumas in her work with both past and current clients so she and the team asked Livi Creations (Olivia Beasley) to design the Deaf Trauma logo.2022
Then Toby Pattullo, Website Development Designer, was asked to design a website titled Deaf Mental Health with the logo along with an Auslan video, translated by Ramas, which addressed nature of the 6 Deaf traumas.November 2022
Deaf Australia (DA) and the DMHF team signed an agreement for DMH to be auspiced under DA so the DMH donations could be claimed as tax deductible.2024
The Deaf mental Health fund team underwent a makeover and now has 5 new volunteers working with two long-time volunteers, Karli and Neil.
They are in the process of setting up a clear governance framework, including policies and procedures. undergoing a two-day training in June 2024 that was facilitated by Peter Davies
Future goals for DMH
- Run fundraising events
- $500 Grant open to community to apply
- Continue to raise awareness and education about DMH via social media
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