Mental health for deaf youth in Colombia

Throughout this year, our mental health program has continued providing psychological support to people with hearing disabilities, with a particular focus on strengthening their emotional well-being, autonomy, independence, and social participation.

One of the most important achievements has been the increased involvement of families and caregivers in the process. We recognize that emotional well-being is not built in isolation. Families play a fundamental role in creating supportive environments where young people can continue developing skills such as decision-making, autonomy, independence, and conflict resolution in their everyday lives.

We have also placed special emphasis on strengthening participants' life projects. For many young people with hearing disabilities, building a vision for their future requires access to appropriate support networks and opportunities to participate actively in their communities. For this reason, we have worked on identifying and activating social support networks and connecting participants with resources and services available in their communities.

During the psychological sessions, different therapeutic strategies have been used according to each participant's needs, including daily thought records, diaphragmatic breathing, role-playing, and the Socratic method. These tools have helped participants reflect on difficult experiences, process traumatic events, recognize and manage their emotions, and develop healthier ways of responding to everyday challenges.

Beyond individual psychological support, this work seeks to strengthen the relationships surrounding each participant. By involving families, caregivers, and social support networks, we are helping create environments where young people can feel heard, supported, and empowered to make decisions about their own lives.

Thanks to the support of our donors, these spaces for psychological accompaniment can continue reaching people with hearing disabilities and their families, contributing to greater emotional stability, stronger support networks, and greater autonomy in their personal and social lives.