Persons who are Deaf and recovering
from mental illness often experience depression, anxiety and
feelings of isolation. Unfair treatment and lack of accommodations
also negatively impact the lives of these individuals.
The staff at Aurora Rehabilitation
recognize that the added burden of mental illness can be devastating
for someone who has been isolated by their Deafness. Where does a
Beaver County citizen who is experiencing these problems go for
help? Until recently the answer was Pittsburgh. Thanks to the
efforts of Beaver County Behavioral Health, in cooperation with BCRC
Aurora Rehabilitation Services, the answer to that question is now
Beaver County.
Dr. Kim Mathos provides psychiatric
services and consultation out of the Aurora offices for persons who
are deaf and recovering from mental illness. Dr. Mathos also serves
the Pittsburgh area through her work at the Center for Hearing and
Deaf Services and the Behavioral Health Task Force for persons who
are Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing of Allegheny County.
According to the Hearing Loss
Association of America, Dr. Kim Mathos is “one of only a handful of
medical doctors in the state [of PA] who specialize in the emotional
effects of hearing loss.” Dr. Mathos feels that support systems
need to be in place for people who are trying to cope with life in a
hearing world.
In addition to Dr. Mathos, Ms. Ashley
Greenawalt has been hired as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Deaf
Specialist. Ms. Greenawalt graduated from Kent State University
with a degree in American Sign Language. Ms. Greenawalt has many
years of experience in interpreting and communicating through sign
language. She will conduct an educational group in sign language
dealing with topics such as work, social life, various forms of
mental illness, stress reduction, anger management, connecting and
engaging, etc..
Ms Greenawalt will provide psych rehab
services in individual and group settings. She will also interpret
Peer Support Services.
Dr. Mathos and Ms. Greenawalt are an
invaluable part of the Aurora team that provides an ever-increasing
array of services to persons who are recovering from mental illness.
For more information call Aurora at 724-775-2298 or visit
www.AuroraPsychRehab.net.
TeleHealth Option for Aurora Members
For members who have difficulty getting to the Aurora offices
in Beaver, Aurora services are offered through
video conferencing into members'
homes. A computer is installed in the member's residence, and the
member participates from home. The member participates through a
live two-way video feed into Aurora's offices. Please call Marty
Shafer at Aurora (724 775-2298) for
more information on using this TeleHealth
video conferencing option.
