18-25 Deaf Mental Health Assessment Service (Yorkshire and the Humber) 

Date Published : December 2024 

Date to Review :  September 2026

This 18-25 Deaf Mental Health Assessment Service for Yorkshire and the Humber is a two year pilot from September 2024-2026.

Referral criteria:

1.    Referral Source: Referrals can only be made by a professional.

2.   Age Range: The individual is between the ages of 18 to 25 years old.

3.    Hearing Status & Language: The person has a severe or profound hearing level, or British Sign Language (BSL) as their first or preferred language or significant problems with their language.

4.    Concerns: There is a suspicion or evidence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), significant problems with language and communication or concerns regarding the individual’s management of their emotions and behaviour.

5.     Functional Impact: There is significant impact on their daily life/functioning, including areas such as employment, housing, education and relationships.

6.    Consent: The person is fully aware of the referral and the reasons why they are being referred and agrees to involved in an assessment.

7.    GP Registration: The person must be registered with a GP.

Referrals Exclusion Criteria:

·         Age Limitation: For individuals under the age of 18 years old, please refer to the Deaf Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (National Deaf CAMHS). Please request a referral form by emailing ndcamhsnorth.lypft@nhs.net

·         Lack of Consent: The person does not consent to the referral. (We have experienced service users being referred without full consent, e.g. when a referral is submitted by a carer).

• Hearing Status & Language: The person’s hearing level is not severe or profound or they do not have a significant problems with language and could therefore access local services.

·         Eligibility for local CMHT: Those individuals who would meet the criteria for a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) will not be accepted for assessment of those needs. The 18-25 DMHAS may work alongside a CMHT for a specific neurodevelopmental / language deprivation assessment if required.

NOTE: If there is a mental health or substance misuse problem which may affect our assessment, please contact us on 01904 294 300 to discuss this before sending the referral.