New 'Hearing Voices' support group forming
New London — A new support group for those who hear voices, see visions and have other unusual perceptions will host its first meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church at 19 Jay St.
The Rev. Lori Peach-Filban, pastor of the United Church of Stonington, said Friday that she decided to help organize the support group after becoming active in the local chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness, an advocacy group. She and her family moved to the area 17 months ago, and were looking for a support group for a family member, she said.
"It’s for people who have that experience, just to talk with other people and find out that their experiences are not so frightening and unique, and address the stigma,” said Peach-Filban, who also works with mental health education programs in the community and churches through the Southeastern Mental Health Network, Sound Community Services and other groups.
Statewide, there are 16 Hearing Voices support groups affiliated with the national Hearing Voices Network. Peach-Filban said the New London group will be led by two facilitators who’ve received training from the Connecticut Hearing Voices Network. Participation in the groups is free.
According to information on the Connecticut Hearing Voices Network’s website, as many as one in 10 people hear voices, but many choose not to talk about them. At the support group, people can talk about their experiences without fear of judgment. All information shared in the group is kept confidential.
Jenna Rai Miller, program coordinator for the Connecticut Hearing Voices Network, said the state’s first group began in June 2014, and groups are now located in all areas of the state.
“There’s a need and it’s growing,” she said. “It’s a place where people can come for support, self help, mutual respect and understanding. It’s judgment free, where people can come without fear of being hospitalized or getting a diagnosis.”
She said the groups help people normalize their experiences.
“They’re not labeled, or called crazy at all,” she said.
By joining the peer support group, members gain a sense of belonging and a means of accepting and finding meaning from their own and others’ experiences, without fear of judgment, but the groups do not provide therapy or treatment, the website said.
“Peoples’ experiences with hearing voices or seeing visions or other sensory perceptions that others may not experience are sane reactions to insane, painful or traumatic circumstances,” Miller said. “There is no diagnosis or assumption of illness” in the support groups.
The group is intended for people who have experienced hearing voices, visions other unusual perceptions, but may have sessions open to family members and other supporters. Group members are welcome to talk about any issue that’s important to them, not just voices and visions.
For information about the group, contact Peach-Filban at (860) 367-1324 or at: lorifilban@yahoo.com.
For information about the Connecticut Hearing Voices Network, visit: www.http://www.cthvn.org/.
j.benson@theday.com
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