Children hearing voices given support in new study

One in eight young people experience hearing voices

Young people in Sussex who are hearing voices could soon benefit from new research.

The study will pilot the delivery of psychological interventions in schools, with the aim of increasing access and reducing waiting times for support.

Professor Mark Hayward, Director of the Sussex Voices Clinic said he was hopeful that early help "might make a real difference to the mental health of young people at this important time in their development".

According to national charity the Voice Collective, one in eight young people experience hearing voices.

'Talking can be helpful'

The new study has been developed by researchers at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, University of Sussex, and Thought-full, which provides mental health support teams in West Sussex.

It is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Approximately 12% of children and adolescents hear voices - in comparison to 6% of adults.

Experts say voice hearing could be comforting or humorous for some, but for others could be frightening and unsettling.

Prof Hayward said the NHS had been offering help through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for "several years" , but that "young people often have to wait several months to receive an intervention".

"We want to show teachers, families and young people that talking about these experiences can be helpful."

In addition to one-to-one sessions for the young person, workshops will be offered to the young person's support network, such as school staff, family members and friends.

The feedback from these interventions will then be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot.

The study will deliver interventions to three groups of participants from selected secondary schools in West Sussex.

These include students who have been referred to the study; their supporters including family members and friends and school staff with pastoral responsibilities.