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Bypass the head and go straight to the heart.

The Hearing Distressing Voices Simulation is a groundbreaking, empathy-building experience that helps students, mental health professionals and first responders understand the challenges and strengths of people who experience psychosis.

Watch CNN's Anderson Cooper Experience the Simulation
Outcomes: The Hearing Distressing Voices Simulation
   
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Empathy, not sympathy

"Thank you Pat for allowing me to get a better understanding of what a person goes through. I don't have sympathy, I have empathy."

Walking in someone else's shoes

"If you can put yourself in another’s shoes even for a short time, it really changes how you responds to and care for others."

Teaches about resilience

"This simulation-based learning helps prepare students for working in the real world in a way that textbooks can’t. The exercise of hearing voices has something to teach students about the resilience of people with mental health conditions."

Transformative

"This experience was transformative. It really challenged my preconceived notions and helped me better understand the experience of people who hear distressing voices everyday. "

Hearing Distressing Voices Toolkit Options

These Digital Toolkits contain everything needed to run a Simulation. Each toolkit includes digital files for download.

Mental Health Professionals

The digital downloads include:

  • Access for up to 6 Facilitators
  • Videos from Pat Deegan:
    • Introduction to the Simulation (3:57)
    • About Hearing Distressing Voices (18:36)
    • How to be helpful as Mental Health Professionals (20:55) 
  • Presenter's Manual
  • Supplemental Manual for running a Virtual Simulation
  • Workstations & Instructions
  • Room Setup Diagrams
  • Handouts
  • Materials to help you advertise the Simulation
  • MP3 file of the 45-minute voices simulation

First Responders

The digital downloads include:

  • Access for up to 6 Facilitators
  • Videos from Pat Deegan:
    • Introduction to the Simulation (3:57)
    • About Hearing Distressing Voices (18:36)
    • How to be Helpful as First Responders (11:21)
  • Presenter's Manual
  • Supplemental Manual for running a Virtual Simulation
  • Workstations & instructions specific to first responders
  • Room Setup Diagrams
  • Handouts
  • Materials to help you advertise the Simulation
  • MP3 file of the 45-minute voices simulation

Preloaded MP3 Players

During the Simulation, participants listen to the included Voices Soundtrack using headphones and individual players. For your convenience, we also offer the MP3 players pre-loaded with the Soundtrack.

These convenient add-ons to the Toolkit are sold in quantities of 10 and come preloaded with the Simulation soundtrack. 

Our Preloaded Mp3 players are a sub-set of the Hearing Voices Simulation Toolkit and are not meant to be used separately from it.

AGPTEK - 8GB Clip MP3

  • Budget-friendly AND dependable
  • Lightweight & wearable
  • No screen
  • Quality sound
  • Straightforward navigation buttons
  • Up to 10 hours of battery life

Want Pat Deegan & Associates to help you prepare for or run a simulation? 

Check out our additional Simulation options below.

PDA-Led Simulation Workshop

$5000*

Have Pat Deegan & Associates staff run a simulation workshop for your organization.

Includes:

Simulation Experience (3 Hours)

  • Hour 1 | Welcome, introduction to the Simulation, and a lecture or video recording by Pat Deegan about the experience of hearing distressing voices.
  • Hour 2 | The Simulation, during which participants listen to distressing voices through earbuds while completing a series of tasks, such as taking a mental status exam in a mock emergency room.
  • Hour 3 | Debrief and discussion, led by PDA Staff 

*Plus travel expenses

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Train the Trainer Simulation Workshop

$7500*

Prepare your team to run their own Hearing Distressing Voices Simulation.

Includes:

Hearing Distressing Voices Simulation Toolkit

Simulation Experience & Training (5 Hours)

  • Hour 1 | Preparation session with the trainers. PDA staff will review the components of the toolkit, how to prepare for and run simulation, and how to conduct a debriefing session.
  • Hours 2-4 | Hearing Voices Simulation with trainers, allowing them a firsthand experience of the Simulation.
  • Hour 5 | Debriefing with trainers. Q&A and PDA staff will share lessons learned for running an effective Simulation.

*Plus travel expenses

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Personal Medicine for Distressing Voices

After staff experience the Simulation, help prepare them with tools to directly support people who hear distressing voices. This add-on to the toolkit helps put recovery tools directly into the hands of the people who need them.

The Personal Medicine Guide for Distressing Voices contains:

  • Information about the experience of distressing voices
  • Workbook style exercises
  • Personal Medicine Cards
  • Tracking tools
  • Reflection questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about the Simulation? Need a purchase order?

We can help. Send us a note and we will be in touch.