Reviewed by: Dalete Karst-Yaacov. Registered Occupational Therapist Ontario
When someone opens up about hearing voices or experiencing a break from reality, their courage is extraordinary. Yet these conversations are often met with discomfort, disbelief, or stigma, leaving many people feeling isolated when they need connection the most. At CMHA York Region and South Simcoe, we want to change that narrative. We take a client-led approach to support people living with psychosis, because you are not alone, and your lived experience matters.
This article is about psychosis, what it looks and feels like, how stigma gets in the way, and why reaching out early can make a meaningful difference. To help deepen this conversation, we spoke with one of our Peer Support Specialists, who shared insights from her own lived experience with psychosis and hearing voices.
What Is Psychosis? (And What It Isn’t)
Psychosis is a mental health condition, or more precisely, a set of symptoms that affects how someone perceives reality. A person may hear, see, or believe things others don’t, or feel disconnected from their surroundings. These symptoms can be short-term or longer lasting and may feel overwhelming.
Living with psychosis does not mean a person is dangerous, damaged, or less deserving of understanding and connection.
That distinction matters more than most people realize. Psychosis is an integral part of schizophrenia diagnoses (including schizoaffective disorder) and may occur in other illnesses such as bipolar disorder and severe depression.
Symptoms of psychosis can include:
- Hearing, seeing, or sensing things that others do not
- Strong beliefs that feel very real even when others do not share them
- Confused or hard-to-follow speech or thinking
- Heightened fear, mistrust, or suspicion of others
- Behaviour that may seem disorganized, unusual, or hard to understand
- Catatonia – not a form of psychosis, but it is often associated with psychotic disorders
Recovery in mental health is a personal, holistic process of improving well-being, regaining control of one’s life, and living a meaningful and fulfilling
life, regardless of the presence of symptoms.
The Weight of Stigma & Why It Has to Go
For many, the hardest part of psychosis isn’t the symptoms; it’s the stigma and feeling seen differently. Isolation can make challenges worse, while connection, peer support, and community care can make a real difference. Experiences of psychosis vary; not every voice or thought is distressing, and some are even meaningful. A diagnosis doesn’t define a person’s worth or future, and with the right support, recovery is possible.
The Myths That Get in the Way
Stigma doesn’t just live in how people talk about psychosis, it lives in the assumptions people carry without realizing it:
Misconception #1: “If someone isn’t hearing voices right now, they’re cured.”
Psychosis is an ongoing experience. People may develop coping tools that help them navigate their symptoms, even during “quieter” periods, but that doesn’t mean the experience disappears entirely.
Misconception #2: “Medication is the only real option.”
Medication is life-changing for many people, and antipsychotic medications can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms. But, it’s not the whole picture. Many people use a combination of clinical treatment approaches, talk therapy, behavioural strategies, and peer connection.
Misconception #3: “Talking about psychotic experiences makes things worse.”
Open, judgment-free conversations can reduce fear and isolation. Social isolation and loneliness are associated with poorer mental health among older adults. Peer groups and supportive spaces give people a chance to share coping strategies and share their experience.
What Coping Actually Looks Like
People who live with psychosis use a wide range of practical tools. Many people find it helpful when their experiences are listened to and taken seriously.
Examples may include:
- Using reality-connecting or grounding approaches, such as pausing to check the environment in a way that feels helpful to the person, like taking a photo if they want to see whether something is present
- Working with animals trained to provide emotional support and grounding during moments of distress, such as a service dog where this is appropriate and accessible.
- Exploring therapeutic approaches such as avatar-based therapy, where individuals can work through distressing experiences using guided computer simulation with professional support.
- Participating in peer support groups, including programs offered by organizations like Canadian Mental Health Association – York Region South Simcoe, where people can share experiences, learn from others, and reduce shame and isolation.
Above all, people want their experiences, and their pain, to be acknowledged.
“Everyone’s experience with hearing voices or psychosis is different, and there’s no one right way to cope. If there’s no risk involved, just listen. Listen with love. Feeling heard, supported, and understood makes all the difference, and that’s exactly what we aim to create here.”
– Nicole, Peer Support Specialist at CMHA York Region South Simcoe.
Nicole lives with psychosis herself. She works in our ACTT program because she knows from the inside what it means to receive genuine care, and what it means not to.
If You’re Supporting Someone You Care About
Supporting a loved one with psychosis can be challenging. The most important things are simple: believe them, be present, and don’t argue about their experiences.
If you’re supporting a family member or loved one and want more specific guidance on what to say, what to avoid, and how to take care of yourself through this, we’ve created a dedicated guide for caregivers. .
How CMHA Supports People Living With Psychosis
We offer specialized programs designed to support individuals living with psychosis, providing early intervention, ongoing care, and compassionate guidance for both clients and their families. Our programs are available at no cost. Eligibility criteria may apply.
Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTT)
For individuals who need ongoing, intensive, wraparound support, ACTT offers a multidisciplinary team providing care that includes psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, peer support specialists, and more. This program supports individuals with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
ACTT helps people reduce distress, build coping strategies, maintain independence, and stay connected to their goals and communities.
To learn more about our Assertive Community Treatment Teams program, click here.
Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) Program
For youth and young adults aged 14 to 35, our H.O.P.E. Early Psychosis Intervention program provides early assessment, specialized treatment, family support, and education for both individuals and caregivers.
To learn more about our H.O.P.E Early Pyschosis Intervention program, click here.
Recovery Is Real, and it Belongs to You
Hearing voices or experiencing psychosis doesn’t have to carry silence or shame. These experiences are part of many people’s mental health journeys, and it makes a difference to have someone who listens without judgment. People living with psychosis work, raise families, create, build relationships, and contribute to their communities every day.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, or if something just doesn’t feel right, reaching out early can help. Our team is here to connect you with support.
Sources:
Government of Canada. “Social isolation, loneliness and positive mental health among older adults in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.” https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-43-no-4-2023/social-isolation-loneliness-positive-mental-health-older-adults-canada-covid-19-pandemic
Medical News Today. “Your Guide to Understanding Psychosis.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248159
Canadian Mental Health Association, York Region South Simcoe. “Psychosis Vs. Schizophrenia: Understanding The Differences.” https://cmha-yr.on.ca/psychosis-vs-schizophrenia-understanding-the-differences/
