CONNECTING WITH OTHERS

Some people find it helpful to seek 1:1 support from a professional, such as a counsellor or psychotherapist, either through the NHS, or, finances permitting, privately. For others it might feel more helpful or appropriate to consult a religious or spiritual leader, or seek spiritual connection through reading, ritual or prayer.

It can also be helpful to connect and share experiences with other voice-hearers face to face through peer support groups, or online. Some people find it useful to create separate online accounts for their voices so that they’re able to express themselves.

The Hearing Voices Network for England operates an online forum for adult voice hearers across the UK, and Voice Collective, a UK-wide project supporting children and young people who hear voices, operate an online forum for under 25s.

Meetup groups can be useful, and help reduce isolation…It doesn’t have to be a mental health space.

Julie*

My turning point was to start speaking out. I became an activist to cope.

Omar

I am having compassion focussed therapy and am working towards having a conversation with my voices from my compassionate self. This is a work in progress because self Compassion is hard and I am still practicing.

Finley*

It was also really helpful to talk to a psychologist to make sense of my experiences; to get rid of medical labels like psychosis and understand hearing voices in the context of my experiences. That has been invaluable.

Mark*

I think trying to be around people that are experiencing similar things helps you not to feel so alone with it. I also think it’s important people understand that everyone will cope with their voices differently – there’s not one solution that ‘fits all’ so if something doesn’t help you, that’s ok – it doesn’t mean nothing will help, it’s just about finding what works for you as an individual.

Lorna*