Voice hearer's perceptions of recovery: Findings from a focus group at the second world hearing voices festival and congress.

Background: Mental health recovery has been referred to as a new paradigm. In English speaking countries it is clear that it has been able to influence the thinking of a range of stakeholders and has the potential to transform the perception and experience of service users, service providers and staff. Aim: This study aimed to capture the views of attendees on mental health recovery at the 2nd world Hearing Voices Congress and Festival in Nottingham, England. Method: Using a qualitative approach a 90 minute focus group of 12 conference attendees was dual moderated by an academic and service user. The interview was digitally recorded and then transcribed by one of the researchers. Data was examined using thematic content analysis. Results: Participants questioned how the word recovery translated internationally and how despite the terminology, that service providers and professionals were not listening to and that they do not understand service users. Conclusion: A number of findings emerged from the focus group activity; the most striking was the call for emancipation from professionals. The focus group thought that recovery had been a start and had been able to serve a purpose. However the focus group members thought that the hearing voices community had already begun to move on.