last updated 25 Feb 2010

NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS

** NEW New Hearing Voices Groups!

There are now two groups running in Wodonga, a new group in Frankston, and another new group in Ararat! Geelong, Cheltenham, Richmond & Footscray should be starting soon.

** SEEKING NEW GROUP MEMBERS ** The Frankston group and St Kilda Young People's group are both looking for new members now... if you or someone you know is interested, please contact the group facilitators as soon as you can (contact details on our groups page).

Hearing Voices Event in Footscray!

Western Region Community Health is holding an exciting day all about Hearing Voices on March 12. Heidi Everett will be performing, and Voices Vic will give presentations about the approach and the new group starting soon in Footscray. All are welcome - bring your friends!

Click on the image to the left to download invitation.

Hearing Voices Event in Doncaster!

Keystone PHaMS are also holding a great Hearing Voices event for people in the Eastern suburbs. It's on this week, March 4, so click on the invite to download all the details!

Everyone welcome.

** NEW Training Update

Check out our updated training page - we're thrilled to be offering courses with Dr Rufus May, Jacqui Dillon and local experts, Sandi Noble and Janet Karagounis.

The first training course led by the Voices Vic team was held on 24th February... and it was a great success! Participants left saying they felt much more comfortable about facilitating a group.

** NEW Free Workshop for Facilitators

The next workshop for current and aspiring facilitators will be held on 10 March, 2010, in Malvern. This is a great chance to meet other people in similare roles, and share ideas, strategies and challenges. All are welcome - please email indigo@prahranmission.org.au to RSVP. Click here to download an invite!

Info Pack for Clinicans and Managers

A new information pack has been produced for clinicians and managers of services. This is useful for anyone wanting to know more about the approach in terms of research history and risks. Click here to download the information pack.

NEW New Personal Stories and Artwork**

Check out our new personal stories and artwork submissions - click here. If you would like to submit to this page, please email us - we'd love to hear from you!

Image: "Maelstrom" by Initially NO.

Intervoice Discussion Forum

If you're looking for somewhere to air your opinions, or read what others think about hearing voices, check out the Intervoice Online Discussion Forum. Anyone can join in.

Our Charter

Voices Vic is a network of professionals, carers and voice hearers that work together to reduce the distress which can be associated with hearing voices.

Our ambition is to establish Hearing Voices Groups across Victoria. Our vision is for the community at large to listen to the experience of voice hearers without fear or judgement, and with acceptance.

We believe recovery is not necessarily the absence of voices, but the ability to have a meaningful life. We believe recovery is possible for everyone.

Do you hear voices?

You are not alone. An estimated 4% of the population hear voices, sounds or auditory sensations that other people cannot.

While many voice hearers are distressed by the experience (and typically are diagnosed with schizophrenia or another mental illness), the good news is that most are not. Hearing Voices Groups help voice hearers to understand the experience, and explore new ways of coping and living. The groups provide a safe space to explore the experience of hearing voices - without judgement or fear - and with other voice hearers you can relate to.

Please explore our site, and check the link above for current groups in Victoria, news and resources. Click here to read our brochure about hearing voices groups. If there are no groups in your area, please let us know. We are keeping a waiting list and will inform organisations as demand for groups builds up in their areas.

We are also looking for personal stories from voice hearers to post on our site. We think it's important to share experiences, and this is a great way to do so. If you have a story you'd like to share, please email us. You can remain anonymous or give your name - and even a photo or some artwork - if you'd like.

Is your organisation interested in starting a Hearing Voices Group?

Please check out our upcoming training, and contact us to talk it over. We can visit your service and talk to voice hearers, staff and carers. We can help you plan your group and provide lots of ongoing support. We'd love to hear from you!

Are you a friend, family member or carer of someone who hears voices?

We know that many carers find the Hearing Voices Approach is helpful in providing supportive strategies to use at home. We already have some carers involved in the network, some have attended our training, and others have passed on the information about groups to their loved ones. Please read the information provided on this site or contact us - we'd love to hear from you. We're interested in finding out what information and supports would be useful to you.

We are currently working to organise some training specifically designed for carers. This would help to understand the experience of hearing voices, and to develop some practical strategies to help with coping at home. Stay tuned for more information.

We'd love your input to help make this site great - click here to email your feedback and ideas.