It’s the Bad Things that Happen to you that can Drive you Crazy!
The Hearing Voices Network in England has issued a position statement on DSM 5 and the wide issue of psychiatric diagnoses following last week’s debate on the need for a new paradigm in mental health services, reported largely as a ‘turf war’ between psychiatry and psychology. Concerned that this debate can all too easily sound ‘academic’ and miss the voices of the very people these systems impact upon – those diagnosed with mental health problems – HVN are taking the debate back to the people.
“We believe that people with lived experience of diagnosis must be at the heart of any discussions about alternatives to the current system.”
Jacqui Dillon, Hearing Voices Network, Chair.
In their statement, the Hearing Voices Network (HVN) state that psychiatric diagnoses are both scientifically unsound and can have damaging consequences. HVN suggest that asking ‘what’s happened to you?’ is more useful than ‘what’s wrong with you?’.
Concerned that essential funds are being wasted on expensive and futile genetic research, they call for the redirection of funds to address the societal problems known to lead to mental health problems and provide the holistic support necessary for recovery.
This is part of a growing, international movement by survivors of the psychiatric system who are questioning the adequacy of a biomedical model to make sense of and respond to madness and distress.
See:
www.intervoiceonline.org
www.mindfreedom.org
http://psychdiagnosis.weebly.com
www.madinamerica.com
www.occupypsychiatry.net
www.youtube.com/openparadigmproject
HVN invites people with lived experience of diagnosis and their supporters to engage in a discussion about the issues and help plan a way forwards.
“People who use services are the true experts on how those services could be developed and delivered; they are the ones that know exactly what they need, what works well and what improvements need to be made. This is not just an academic or professional issue – it’s one that affects our lives.”
Here is what ‘Mad In America’ say about this Open Paradigm feature:
“Voices Matter” is the first full production to emerge from the Open Paradigm Project, a collective dedicated to heeding the voices and perspectives that accompany the diverse and changing realities we all share. This documentary about the Hearing Voices Movement was filmed over the course of three days at the 2012 World Hearing Voices Congress in Cardiff, Wales.
The Hearing Voices Movement started 25 years ago in the Netherlands, as an organization for voice hearers and others interested in this phenomenon. In 1988, The Hearing Voices Network was established in England, and in following years, further networks have been established in Italy, Finland, Wales, Scotland, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Japan, Israel, New Zealand, Australia and the USA. The network is currently comprised of thousands of Hearing Voices groups, and growing.
Journeys to Understanding – Sharing experience, expertise and wisdom
20 – 22 November 2013, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (Australia)
Traditionally held in Europe, this extraordinary conference brings together the world’s leading experts on hearing voices and recovery. It is an event unlike anything else in mental health, filled with hope, innovative thinking and collaboration. This year the congress will be hosted in Melbourne by Voices Vic, Prahran Mission.
The congress is consumer-led, but is developed by a working group which also includes members from all mental health disciplines, real practice and the latest research, carers & families, and multicultural & indigenous perspectives.
Please note: The following request is posted on behalf of the researchers. To find out more about the study, please contact them directly.
Are you, or is someone you know, experiencing visions/visual hallucinations?
Hi Everyone
Our names are Selina Warlow, Clara Strauss and Jo Billings and we are members of a research group based at the University of Surrey. Our aim is to improve the understanding of the experience of seeing images (e.g. people, animals or objects) that appear real when you are awake but are not visible to others. This experience is sometimes also referred to as “seeing things”, “visions” or “visual hallucinations.” For the purpose of this study we will be using the word ‘vision’ to describe the experience of visions/ visual hallucinations. We hope that this will help improve understandings of how people cope with this experience. Continue reading “Research Request: Do you see visions?”
Please note: The following is from Voice Collective, a London-wide project supporting children and young people who hear voices. Please contact them directly to ask about this event as HVN are not running it ourselves. Thank you.
After lots of enquiries from young people in the North East, Voice Collective are holding an ‘Open Event’ for young people who hear voices or see visions and the people who support them. Please help them spread the world with young people, families and youth workers that might benefit from it. Continue reading “11 May: Voice Collective in the North East”
Please note: The following article was written by Jacqui Dillon for Mad In America (www.madinamerica.com) on January 10, 2013.
I am thrilled to have been invited to write about the important and innovative work of the Hearing Voices Movement alongside so many eminent colleagues, critical thinkers and activists working together to bring about an essential revolution in the world of mental health.
We have just celebrated the anniversary of the rapidly expanding global Hearing Voices Movement which was founded more than twenty-five years ago following the ground-breaking research of Professor Marius Romme and Dr Sandra Escher. Romme and Escher have advocated for a radical shift in the way we understand the phenomenon of Hearing Voices; Continue reading “The Hearing Voices Movement: Beyond Critiquing the Status Quo”
3 Day Hearing Voices Group Facilitation & Network Development Training
With Jacqui Dillon
11, 12, 13 February 2013 - Durham University, UK
Hearing Voices Groups offer a safe place for people to feel accepted and comfortable sharing their experiences of voices, visions, tactile sensations and other unusual experiences and perceptions. People meet together to help and support each other, to exchange information, and to learn from one another. Groups also offer an opportunity for people to accept and “live with voices” in a way that enables them to regain some control over their lives.
Are you involved in a Hearing Voices Group in the North East of England, or would you like to be?
Are you interested in finding out more about the work the Hearing Voices Network is currently doing in the North East and help us to plan future developments?
Please come along to a meeting on: Friday 30th November 2012 from 12 – 4pm at:
Welcome to our new Hearing Voices Network Website. Over the coming weeks we will be adding lots more information about voices, visions and peer support groups. Please check back soon.
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