Depict VR: a Virtual-Reality Application for Sharing Experiences about Hearing Voices and Relationships

Background: Young people can experience hearing voices and fear sharing this experience with family and friends. At a mild level, these voices are experienced as intrusive thoughts. Engaging someone that the young person trusts can help to transform their experience and seek help. The aim of the project was to test Depict VR, a novel two-person virtual-reality application for hearing voices, as a conducive platform for sharing young people’s experiences with a trusted confidante. Method: Seventeen healthy young people, who fell within the normal range of experiencing hallucinations on the Lunay-Slade Hallucinations Scale, and their trusted confidante (a partner, sibling or friend) were invited to test Depict VR. The young participants also completed self-report questionnaires on mood, depression, anxiety and stress and their sense of presence inside Depict VR. The young participant and their confidante were also interviewed about the sharing experience. Results: A higher level of hearing voices correlated with a better engagement with the auditory experiences within Depict VR. Greater positive mood and lower depression also correlated with a greater ability to act, examine and interact with the virtual environment. Young people explained that Depict VR facilitated sharing experiences and that the comments unearthed social aspects of themselves that they were previously unaware of. Conclusion: Depict VR has potential to understand the mental health and wellbeing of young people. It is a meaningful space to facilitate disclosure about hearing voices and other psychosis-like experiences and build relationships.