Simon Riches1, Rich Maskey2, Patrick Dishman2, Jonny Benjamin Mbe3, Rachel Waddingham4, Charlie Tebrook5, Eve Mundy4, Phoebe Roberts6, Helen L Fisher1. 1. a Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience , King's College London , London , UK. 2. b Independent Artist , London , UK. 3. c Mental Health Campaigner , London , UK. 4. d Voice Collective, Mind in Camden , London , UK. 5. e School of Psychology , University of Bedfordshire , Luton , UK. 6. f Independent Producer , London , UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The arts can increase public awareness of mental health. Stigma about psychosis remains high despite common occurrences of psychotic experiences in the general population (e.g. hearing voices, seeing visions, and other unusual sensory experiences). Targeted approaches may therefore benefit stigma reduction. This project aimed to produce an immersive art installation that increased public understanding of psychotic experiences. METHODS: Development stages included workshops with people with lived experience, training actors to perform "voices", sourcing artworks, and producing a voice hearing simulation and video installation. RESULTS: The exhibition was implemented as intended, gained positive visitor feedback (N = 150), felt immersive, enhanced subjective understanding of voice hearing, increased compassion and was not unduly stressful. A production team meeting (N = 10) identified exhibition strengths, challenges, and potential modifications. CONCLUSIONS: This successful, large-scale pilot of an immersive art exhibition combined creative, academic, and experiential perspectives. It enabled visitors to "hear voices" and increased their understanding of psychotic experiences.
BACKGROUND: The arts can increase public awareness of mental health. Stigma about psychosis remains high despite common occurrences of psychotic experiences in the general population (e.g. hearing voices, seeing visions, and other unusual sensory experiences). Targeted approaches may therefore benefit stigma reduction. This project aimed to produce an immersive art installation that increased public understanding of psychotic experiences. METHODS: Development stages included workshops with people with lived experience, training actors to perform "voices", sourcing artworks, and producing a voice hearing simulation and video installation. RESULTS: The exhibition was implemented as intended, gained positive visitor feedback (N = 150), felt immersive, enhanced subjective understanding of voice hearing, increased compassion and was not unduly stressful. A production team meeting (N = 10) identified exhibition strengths, challenges, and potential modifications. CONCLUSIONS: This successful, large-scale pilot of an immersive art exhibition combined creative, academic, and experiential perspectives. It enabled visitors to "hear voices" and increased their understanding of psychotic experiences.
Entities:
Keywords:
Auditory hallucinations; art exhibition; mental health; psychotic experiences; simulation