Eoin Ó Tuama – Chairperson

Survivor of psychiatry for over 25 years, I began hearing voices and seeing visions after third level education. I was sectioned in 1996 for five months and, like most people, had every ‘treatment’ in the book thrown at me. Through survivor/activist groups like IAN, HVN etc. & holistic therapy I was able to recover to a large extent. I still take psychiatric medication and have periodic episodes of voices. I work for the Occupational therapy department of the Donegal Mental Health Services.

Michael Ryan

My name is Mike. I have been a voice hearer for as long as I can remember but most intensely over the last 15 years or so. I contacted the HVNI about 8 years ago and have remained in some contact since then. I have done a few training sessions with them. I have been going to a HV group for the last while on zoom in Texas in the U.S. and felt inspired to set up a zoom group in Ireland. I believe pier support has been helpful to myself and people in the group. I am humbled to have been given the title Chairperson of HVNI and intend to do the best I can do for the movement around my 9-5 job.

Harry Gijbels – Treasurer

I am a retired mental health nurse and academic with over 40 years of experience in challenging mental health practices and education. I first heard about the hearing voices movement back in the early 90’s. I started attending HV workshops in the late 00’s. In and around 2012 I became involved in organising workshops in Ireland, leading in 2015 to the launch of the Hearing Voices Network Ireland (HVNI). I have been a HVNI board member since that time in various roles.

Ciara McEnteggart – Webmaster

My name is Ciara McEnteggart. I am a psychologist and have been involved with the Hearing Voices Network for many years after attending a training with Jacqui Dillon in 2012 and was a member of the founding committee of HVNI in 2015. I have a passion for creative and alternative perspectives to understanding wellbeing.

Becky Wilkinson

Hi I’m Becky and I started hearing voices after taking medication for tuberculosis. I am now a proud voice hearer and I am doing a masters in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I run an air bnb, and offer reiki and dinner.

Pete Brown

Pete has been facilitating the Belfast group since 2003, many people have passed through and we get about four people at a group which is nice.  Unfortunately, I think many more people could benefit from being a member.  I hope being part of HVNI helps attain this.

Gavin Bushe

My name is Gavin Bushe and I have been hearing voices since 2012. I am a psychiatric survivor and I co-facilitate the HVNI hearing voices group in Dublin since 2014. I hold a Masters Degree in Library and Information Studies and I am a passionate revolutionary believer in a better system, and the end of psychiatry. I believe we all have the inner power to co-create solutions to our mental health problems without coming under the control of the Psychiatric State. I wish to serve my peers as their supporter. Thanks for reading!