MindSigns
Digital mental health for deaf communities.
Co-designed with deaf individuals, sign language interpreters, and mental health professionals in Bangladesh — culturally and linguistically tailored tools that can be adapted anywhere in the world.
A language in motion
Bridging mental health gaps for the deaf community
Despite being one of the most common disabilities worldwide, deaf individuals often face significant barriers due to societal exclusion and a lack of accessible mental health support. According to the WHO, approximately 430 million people — more than 5% of the global population — experience hearing loss.
MindSigns bridges these gaps by providing culturally and linguistically tailored digital tools. Piloted in Bangladesh, where 9.6% of the population is deaf or has hearing difficulties, our resources can be adapted for use in any setting.
Meet the research teamFilm — the MindSigns story, in Bangla Sign Language with English subtitles.
Mental Health Sign Language Bank
Now there is a sign for depression
64 mental health terms in Bangla Sign Language, co-designed with deaf communities, interpreters, and clinicians. Covers key concepts like depression, anxiety, panic, loneliness, and more — with English subtitles for wider accessibility.
E-Flyer Packs
24 packs covering positivity, sleep, anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, and more — free to download in English, Bangla, and Deaf Bangla.
Video Content
Sign language videos with English subtitles covering mental health concepts, plus personal interviews from the deaf community.
TheMentalHealthCommissionofCanadarecognizedthisprojectasoneofeightglobalinitiativestransforminglivesthroughtechnology.
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Impact & Awards
Published in The Lancet Psychiatry and recognised globally for advancing deaf mental health.
What the community says
“Working on this project showed me how vital mental health is for everyone. We discovered new terms that never existed in our community's vocabulary—words like depression, which we had never fully understood. Before, we expressed emotions with just four words: sadness, joy, pain, and liking. Through this project, I realized that mental health is far more complex and expansive than we ever imagined.”
Md. AbdullahDeaf community representative“I hope this project helps my community understand mental health, empowering us to support ourselves and each other with compassion.”
Safika Abedin RuhiDeaf community representative“We co-created new signs with the hearing-impaired community, building a vocabulary that captures nuanced emotions and deepens mental health understanding. Seeing our community grow more aware and empowered, I feel a deep responsibility to spread this knowledge further. Every new sign we create is a step toward liberation.”
Arafat Sultana LataSign Language InterpreterBangladesh’s first Mental Health Sign Language Bank
Launched at the Impact Hub in Dhaka with government officials, deaf community representatives, psychiatrists, psychologists, and public health professionals. Over 60 new signs for terms like ‘depression’, ‘panic’, and ‘mental health’.
Our Research Team
Researchers, clinicians, and community advocates from Monash University, University of Melbourne, Deakin University, and beyond.
Expert Panel
Psychologists, psychiatrists, sign language interpreters, and deaf community representatives who co-designed and validated MindSigns.
Prof. Kamal Uddin Ahmed ChowdhuryClinical Psychologist, University of Dhaka
Prof. Dr. Helal Uddin AhmedChild & Adolescent Psychiatry, NIMH Dhaka
Dr. Kamrun Nahar KolyAssociate Scientist, icddr,b
Tawhida ShiropaFounder & CEO, Moner Bondhu
Arafat Sultana LataSign Language Interpreter
Md. AbdullahDeaf Community RepresentativeFrequently asked
Mental health is a critical concern for the deaf community, yet it remains largely overlooked. Despite being one of the most common disabilities worldwide, deaf individuals often face significant barriers due to societal stigma, communication challenges, and limited access to mental health services. According to the WHO, approximately 430 million people globally experience hearing loss — more than 5% of the world's population. In Bangladesh, around 9.6% of the population is deaf or has hearing difficulties, making it the country's second most prevalent disability.
MindSigns is a dedicated platform promoting the mental well-being of deaf individuals. Developed through co-design with deaf communities, sign language interpreters, and mental health professionals in Bangladesh, it provides electronic flyers, video content in Bangla Sign Language with English subtitles, and a pioneering Digital Mental Health Sign Language Bank.
The tools provide critical mental health support by enhancing awareness through visual and digital content, breaking communication barriers with sign language-based resources, promoting early intervention by increasing access to mental health knowledge, and supporting caregivers, educators, and professionals in understanding deaf individuals' mental health needs.
The tools are free and available on this website. You can download electronic flyers for easy reference, watch sign language videos on mental health topics, or access the Digital Mental Health Sign Language Bank to learn essential mental health terms. Designed for self-use, caregiver support, and professional guidance.
No, these tools have been co-designed for deaf adults aged 18 and above. However, we are exploring opportunities to develop child-friendly resources in the future.
No — all resources on this website are completely free. There are no subscription fees or hidden charges.
If you have any concerns or feedback regarding a sign language term, please contact Team Inclusion Bangladesh Foundation at info@teaminclusionbd.org. A team member will review your query and respond as soon as possible.
If you need mental health support in Bangladesh, please reach out to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Nasirullah Psychotherapy Unit (NPU), Moner Bondhu, or Living With Wellness. Contact details are available on the Resources and FAQ pages.
All resources are free.
Sign language bank, e-flyers, and videos — designed for self-use, caregiver support, and professional guidance. No signup required.
Access the resources