Abstract
Depict VR is an innovative virtual reality mental health product designed to help young people who hear voices. An estimated one million young people experience voice hearing. The distress from voice hearing is linked to an increase in suicidal thoughts and left untreated can lead to psychosis in later life. Current treatments for young voice hearers are only 50% effective, and Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) do not have capacity to treat the backlog of patients.
Depict VR has been developed to reach more young voice hearers earlier in the treatment pathway and increase capacity within CAMHS to treat more patients. Depict VR is designed to help young people reflect on their voice hearing and share this experience with a trusted confidante, for example a family member. The activity aims to reduce the social barriers that prevent young people from sharing their experiences, build a dialogue between the young person and confidante and empower the confidante to offer further support outside the clinical setting.
Depict VR has been developed in collaboration with Dr Preethi Premkumar at London South Bank University and supported with Innovate UK Mindset XR funding. The product is currently undergoing a further study at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundational Trust CAMHS with the support of the British Academy. Whilst clinicians report enthusiasm for Depict VR, we now need to investigate how a novel virtual reality product can be effectively delivered within an NHS setting.
Depict VR has been developed to reach more young voice hearers earlier in the treatment pathway and increase capacity within CAMHS to treat more patients. Depict VR is designed to help young people reflect on their voice hearing and share this experience with a trusted confidante, for example a family member. The activity aims to reduce the social barriers that prevent young people from sharing their experiences, build a dialogue between the young person and confidante and empower the confidante to offer further support outside the clinical setting.
Depict VR has been developed in collaboration with Dr Preethi Premkumar at London South Bank University and supported with Innovate UK Mindset XR funding. The product is currently undergoing a further study at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundational Trust CAMHS with the support of the British Academy. Whilst clinicians report enthusiasm for Depict VR, we now need to investigate how a novel virtual reality product can be effectively delivered within an NHS setting.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 3 Jun 2025 |
| Event | Design in Mental Health - Manchester Duration: 3 Jun 2025 → 4 Jun 2025 https://www.designinmentalhealth.com/ |
Conference
| Conference | Design in Mental Health |
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| City | Manchester |
| Period | 3/06/25 → 4/06/25 |
| Internet address |
