kwong0274c734e2 Research, Uncategorized

ECT Survey

Researchers from the University of East London are seeking individuals who have, or are close to those who have, received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), you’re invited to take part of this international survey!

Dr. John Read, from the University of East London, is collaborating with psychologists and people who’ve had ECT themselves,to run this study. Here’s a short video interview from Dr. Read’s work.

This is your opportunity to share your experiences of this treatment, positive, negative or mixed. The survey takes about 20 minutes.

If questions about ECT or about the experiences that led you to having ECT might be distressing for you, please seriously consider not taking the survey.

If you have any general enquires about the study, please contact the lead researcher, Professor John Read: john@uel.ac.uk

The study has been approved by the University of East London Ethics and Integrity Sub-committee

You can access the survey here!

BC Hearing Voices Network Conferences and Events

World Hearing Voices Congress 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark

This year’s International Hearing Voices Congress will be held in Copenahgen, Denmark, on the 26th and 27th of September. From the conference website:

The theme of the congress is: Reclaiming Our Lives. This annual event brings together voice-hearers, loved ones and other allies in a two-day event that explores and celebrates the diversity of voice-hearing, vision-seeing and related human experiences. It is a space where people from across the world come to connect with, and learn from, one another.

To learn more or to register, please visit the conference website.

kwong0274c734e2 Conferences and Events, Uncategorized

BC Hearing Voices Showcase

Join us for a gathering of vibrant talents, life stories, and perspectives from people with lived experiences of hearing voices, psychosis, and more! See the human lens and ethos in the community. Connect with authours, artists, singers, and more!

During the showcase, we will be hosting a screening of the award-winning documentary CRAZYWISE directed by Phil Borges and Kevin Tomlinson! Hear indigenous and expert opinions on psychosis and spiritual crisis! See how hearing voices is handled around the world and how people were able to find strength and build meaningful lives!

Doors open at 11:45am at Gordon Neighborhood House, situated in downtown Vancouver, nearby Robson Street! Admission is by donation! Simply pay at the door! Enjoy light food and refreshments! (First come first serve basis) Interact with community members and experience all the wonderful things we have to offer in life!

Agenda:

  • 11:45pm-12:15pm
    • Doors Open, People Mingle
  • 12:15pm-12:45pm
    • Opening Remarks and Speeches
  • 12:45pm-2:15pm
    • CRZAYWISE Screening
  • 2:15pm-2:45pm
    • Closing Remarks and Talent Showcase
  • 2:45pm-3:15pm
    • People Mingle, Doors Close
BC Hearing Voices Network Research

Survey on transformative life experiences

A researcher with the Alef Trust/Liverpool John Moores University is seeking participants in a study on transformative life experiences, which are defined as “one which has strong meaning for you, and has resulted in significant change in your beliefs, values, lifestyle, and/or worldview.” Examples of transformative life experiences could include “the birth of a baby, or the loss of a loved one, sensing divinity while enjoying a sunset, a paranormal encounter, a spiritual awakening, or perhaps a psychedelic exploration into altered states of consciousness.” The researcher, Elizabeth Halliday, is a Master’s student in Consciousness, Spirituality, and Transpersonal Psychology with the Alef Trust/Liverpool John Moores University and a volunteer with the Spiritual Crisis Network UK.

The survey involves answering questions about practices you did or did not use to integrate your transformative life experience, and is expected to take about 20-25 minutes.

You can participate or learn more here. If you have questions about this project, please contact Elizabeth Halliday at e.c.halliday@2021.ljmu.ac.uk or Francesca Hector at francesca.hector@aleftrust.org.

(How do we make decisions about sharing research on the BCHVN blog?)

BC Hearing Voices Network Study Club

Study Club updates for spring 2024

We’re excited to announce upcoming spring dates for the Hearing Voices Study Club! Starting March 13, join us at the Study Club in-person or online for snacks and conversation. The Study Club is a casual monthly meet-up focused on sharing ideas and discussing current issues related to hearing voices and other unique sensory experiences and beliefs. The group is drop-in and open to supporters/allies. You can stay up to date on upcoming Study Club topics/activities by joining the BCHVN mailing list.

The Study Club meets every second Wednesday of the month in the Chocolate Lily Room at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House in Vancouver. You can now also join us virtually on Zoom! Email us at studyclub@bchvn.ca for the link. Starting in March, the Study Club will be meeting slightly later, from 6:30-8:00 pm (PST). We will not be meeting in February.

On March 13, our Study Club meeting will be a little different! Join us for a community roundtable to share your thoughts on the topics that matter to you and the activities you’re interested in. We want to hear your ideas for the Study Club! Open to all.

The venue is wheelchair accessible, and free transit tickets are available for those in need. Please email studyclub@bchvn.ca or call 778-650-6916 with any questions.

Flyer for the Hearing Voices Study Club summarizing the information listed above. It features a colourful orange and green design with images of snack foods.

This project is funded by the Consumer Initiative Fund.

BC Hearing Voices Network Research

UK Study looking for voice hearers to validate a new questionnaire

Researchers in the UK have developed a new questionnaire to assess the types of relationships people have with the voices they hear. They are looking for people who hear voices who are interested in filling out the questionnaire online, which will help the researchers to understand whether the questionnaire is valid (whether it measures what it’s supposed to). Here is a statement from one of the researchers:

My name is Dani Chadderton, I’m a researcher and trainee clinical psychologist at Lancaster University, UK. I’ve been working with Prof. Bill Sellwood and Dr. Rohan Morris to develop a new outcome measure/questionnaire, which will assess the types of relationships people have with the different voices they hear. The idea is that it will help support the development and evaluation of new psychological therapies, specifically looking at improving people’s relationships with their voices, and hopefully reducing distress. 

We have developed the questionnaire with the input of people who hear voices at every stage of the process. We are now looking for voice hearers to complete the questionnaire so we can check if it is statistically valid.

You can complete the questionnaire or learn more about the project here. If you have any questions, please contact Danielle Chadderton: D.chadderton@lancaster.ac.uk

(How do we make decisions about sharing research on the BCHVN blog?)

BC Hearing Voices Network Research

Online study: Self-esteem in psychosis

Researchers at the University of Toronto are investigating what contributes to low self-esteem for people diagnosed with psychosis (and what can improve it), and are looking for research participants for an online study. The study will involve one 1.5 hour session over Zoom, where you will be interviewed, answer questionnaires, and do tasks on the computer. If you think you might be interested in participating, keep reading to learn more.

(How do we make decisions about sharing research on the BCHVN blog?)

A flyer advertising the study. The information on the flyer is summarized below.
Continue reading “Online study: Self-esteem in psychosis” →
BC Hearing Voices Network Personal Story, Submission

Submission: “What Happened?” by Joan

In this submission, Joan tells her story of hearing voices, seeing visions, and “having a foot in both worlds” as she navigates her experience of multiple realities. She discusses working as a nurse and an artist, struggling with grief and family conflict, and the importance of finding supportive people in our lives. Joan also highlights how having the chance to share our experiences, without facing stigma or judgment, can help us to feel more connected to others.

I decided I needed to be vulnerable and share a piece of my journey […] I need help and I hope that I can help others also.

“What Happened?” by Joan

(Content note: This submission discusses grief and loss. If you are currently struggling with mental/emotional distress, a list of resources and supports is available here.)

Continue reading “Submission: “What Happened?” by Joan” →
BC Hearing Voices Network Research

Research opportunity for young people ages 16-30

Researchers at the Early Psychosis Peer Recovery Network (EPPRN) and the University of British Columbia are conducting an online survey to better understand how experiences like psychosis and hearing voices fit into young people’s lives, including their culture, communities and relationships. This survey is open to young people of all backgrounds and identities who:

  • Are between the age of 16 to 30
  • Self-identify as hearing voices, seeing visions, having other unique perceptions or beliefs, and/or experiencing psychosis
  • Live in BC

The survey will take about 20 minutes. By participating in the survey, you will have the chance to enter a raffle for one of five $100 gift cards.

To participate in the survey, click here, or see the link and QR code on the flyer below. For more information, you can contact the Study Lead, Shelly Ben-David (shelly.ben-david@ubc.ca) or the Study Coordinator, Melissa Campos (melissa.campos@ubc.ca).

A flyer for the Culture & Psychosis Study summarizing the same information as above. The flyer shows an image of a person filling out a survey, an image of multicoloured silhouettes of people standing on a white background, and the Progress Pride Flag. There is a QR code in the lower left corner of the flyer.
BC Hearing Voices Network Study Club

Study Club dates for Fall/Winter 2023

We’re happy to announce that the Hearing Voices Study Club will be continuing to meet at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House in Vancouver from 6 to 7:30 pm on the second Wednesday of each month for the rest of the year (August 9th, September 13th, October 11th, November 8th, December 13th). Come join us for an evening of learning, conversation, and snacks. You can now also attend the Study Club virtually over Zoom.

The Study Club is group for watching, listening, reading, and talking about media related to hearing voices and other unique sensory experiences and beliefs. It is open to anyone, including people with lived experience, loved ones, service providers, students, and other community members who are interested in learning. Light snacks will be served, and transit tickets are available. The venue is wheelchair accessible (please email for other accessibility questions). This group is drop-in – no RSVP required. Please note that this is not a support group.

When: 6:00 to 7:30 pm on the second Wednesday of each month (August 9th, September 13th, October 11th, November 8th, and December 13th)
Where: Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House – Chocolate Lily Room (Room 5)
800 East Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5T 1Y1

For the Zoom link to attend or any other questions, please email Anne at studyclub@bchvn.ca, or use our contact form.

This project is supported by the Vancouver Coastal Health Consumer Initiative Fund.

A flyer for the Hearing Voices Study Club summarizing the information above. It shows a photo of an open book with the pages turning.
BC Hearing Voices Network Research

Seeking research participants: therapeutic methods of reducing distress around voices

Researchers at the University of Toronto are seeking participants between the ages of 18 and 60 for an online study on therapeutic methods of reducing distress around hearing voices. The study is completely online and participation involves one, 1.5 hour session over Zoom, where study participants complete a set of questionnaires and do a therapeutic exercise with a therapist. This exercise is designed to decrease distress around voices. Participants will receive $30 as compensation.

To participate, you must:

  • be between the ages of 18 and 60
  • be currently experiencing voices
  • be diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophreniform disorder), OR meet the criteria for an early psychosis program
  • be able to read, write and comprehend English.

There are no geographic restrictions, meaning you can participate no matter where you live.

For more information about the study, or if you’re interested in participating, please contact Talia Leibovitz at t.leibovitz@mail.utoronto.ca or 647-689-6098 Ext. 103.

recruitment-handoutDownload
BC Hearing Voices Network Support groups

New group for youth age 24 and under in Vancouver

There is a new Hearing Voices peer support group for young people (24 and under) hosted at Covenant House Vancouver on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. This is a drop-in group, meaning you don’t need a referral to come to the group, and you don’t need to RSVP. Keep reading for details, or visit our groups page to find an all-ages support group!

A graphic depicting multiple overlapping silhouettes of a face surrounded by speech and thought bubbles. At the top of the image is the text "Hearing Voices Group."

Meet a peer who hears voices and a supportive co- facilitator and know that you are not alone. Explore different ways of understanding the voice hearing experience. Explore the meaning voices have for you. This a drop-in group, no referral necessary. Snacks provided!

When: Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: Covenant House Vancouver, 1302 Seymour Street (2nd Floor)

Note: This group is for youth (24 and under).

For more information, contact Jas: 604 230 9446

BC Hearing Voices Network Study Club

New Study Club location for the spring

We’re excited to announce that the Hearing Voices Study Club is back at a new location! The Study Club will be taking place on the second Wednesday of each month at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House in Vancouver, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. The Study Club is a discussion group that meets monthly to read, watch, and listen to media related to hearing voices. The group is open to anyone who hears voices, sees visions, or has other unique sensory experiences or beliefs, as well as loved ones, service providers, students, and any other community members who are interested in learning. This group is drop-in – no RSVP required.

A poster for the Hearing Voices Study Club featuring a picture of a book with open pages. The information on the poster is available as text below.

Keep reading for more information, or visit the Study Club page for the most recent updates.

Continue reading “New Study Club location for the spring” →
BC Hearing Voices Network Support groups

Virtual peer support group for young adults

The Early Psychosis Peer Recovery Network of BC is hosting a monthly virtual peer support group on Zoom for young adults personally affected by early psychosis. The group takes place on the first Monday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, except on statutory holidays. The group is organized and facilitated by peers, meaning people with personal experience. For more information, scan the QR code on the poster below, or email earlypsychosispeersbc@gmail.com.

Note: this is not a Hearing Voices support group. This support group is organized by the Early Psychosis Peer Recovery Network of BC.

A poster for the Early Psychosis Peer Recovery Network of BC peer support group. The information on the poster is written above.
BC Hearing Voices Network Research

Hearing the Voice project seeking young people age 16-25 to test a pilot app for people who hear voices

Researchers and voice-hearers in the United Kingdom have collaborated to develop a pilot version of an app for young people who hear voices, called LIVV. They are currently seeking young people age 16-25 who are interested in testing the app and participating in an online survey and/or interview about their experience using it. You can learn more about the app and the research project on the Hearing the Voice blog, or by emailing Victoria Patton at victoria.patton@durham.ac.uk. The interviews and survey will take place in February 2023, and you will receive a shopping voucher as a token of appreciation for your time and expertise. You don’t need to live in the UK to participate, but the interviews and survey will be in English.