AN INTERNATIONAL expert on mental health recovery will speak about ways to help people experiencing hallucinations during a lecture in Warrnambool today.
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Dr Eleanor Longden was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 18 and has personal experience of hearing voices.
Although Dr Longden was told she would never recover, she sourced professionals who saw through her diagnosis to the person she was.
She was able to confront her voices and make sense of them, leading her to become an academic in the school of psychology, health and society at the University of Liverpool.
Dr Longden has published research and opinion pieces about hearing voices in many of the world’s leading peer-reviewed journals and made a major contribution to how experts think about mental illness and recovery.
Her 2013 TED Talk on hearing voices has been viewed nearly three million times, translated into 35 languages and was named by The Guardian as one of “The 20 online talks that could change your life”.
Dr Longden will speak at Warrnambool’s Lady Bay Resort from 11am as guest of the MI Fellowship.
She will share her personal and professional expertise with local mental health professionals, as well as individuals who hear voices, offering new ideas and hope.
MI Fellowship regional manager Sharon Lane said hearing voices was one of the most common experiences for people diagnosed with schizophrenia and was often profoundly distressing and confusing.
“Just like Eleanor, many Australians diagnosed with schizophrenia are told they will never recover, despite strong research evidence to the contrary,” Ms Lane said.
“Far too often this sadly leads to a profound loss of hope, inclusion and potential for individuals, their families and communities.”
Dr Longden says every person has the capacity to heal.