last updated 1 November 2011

Welcome to Voices Vic

The Hearing Voices Network of Victoria

Announcing the 2012 Voices Vic Conference...

Click here to visit the Voices Vic Conference Website

23 - 24 February 2012

Storey Hall, RMIT

Melbourne Australia

Join us at this unique, interactive, recovery-focused conference about hearing voices, seeing visions and other unusual experiences (typically diagnosed as psychosis). Innovative pathways to recovery will be explored from the perspectives of consumers and peer workers, indigenous communities, different cultures, psychiatry, psychology, occupational therapy, nursing and social work.

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 9th FEBRUARY ... Don't miss out!

Click here to find out more.

If you have any queries about the conference please click here to send us an email.

This conference is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing under the Mental Health Conference Funding Program, which is managed by the Mental Health Council of Australia.

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 links 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?

Voices Vic has now worked with many organisations across Victoria - and we'd love to add you to the list.

Please check our upcoming training, and call us to talk it over. We deliver a range of courses, and can also customise training to deliver in your workplace. We'd be happy to visit your service and talk to voice hearers, staff and carers. We can help you plan your group and provide lots of ongoing support.

For a list of organisations we've worked with, click here.

Peter Bullimore and Voices Vic deliver

training on voices and paranoia to over

50 mental health workers, carers and

voice hearers (July 2010).

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

Ron Coleman & Voices Vic deliver an information day

for carers and family in the Northern Metro region of Melbourne (May 2010).

We know that many carers find the Hearing Voices Approach is helpful in providing supportive strategies to use at home.

We already have a number of carers involved in the network, and we are members of the Victorian Mental Carers Network. Many carers and family have attended our training, and others have passed on the information about groups to their loved ones. We have also provided some information days for family, and visited several carer organisations to share ideas.

Please visit our new carers and family page, and also try out our resources and books page.

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