Shona‘s journey with poor mental health began when she was just 12 years old. Hospitalised for both eating issues and mental health struggles, she spent much of her teenage years in and out of care. 

By age 15, Shona started hearing voices. “I remember trying to share this with a ward nurse and being told to be quiet. I was just being silly.” Her refusal to attend the hospital school led to severe consequences, being locked in a room and restrained while only being allowed out for one hour. These traumatic experiences often drove her to run away from the hospital. 

Transitioning to adult services at 18, Shona hoped for better support. However, her experiences remained largely the same. During her first meeting with an adult psychiatrist, she was asked if she heard voices. “I answered yes and waited to see what would happen next. Nothing. She moved on and this was not talked about again. The focus remained on my disordered eating.”

Shona’s story reflects a broader reality faced by many young people. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 20% of adolescents experience a mental health problem in any given year, yet 70% do not receive appropriate early interventions. 

In an attempt to protect herself from the voices, Shona recalls putting crosses all over her windows, as instructed by the voices, to ward off aliens. “My voices were intense.I wasn’t able to interact with anyone or focus as the voices took over. I felt trapped inside my own head and couldn’t get out.”

Lynne Penman, Shona’s support worker at the Hearing Voices service, explains that misunderstandings about severe mental illnesses are common. Lynne states:

“There is still so much misunderstanding about severe and enduring mental illness and conditions. Behaviours people see are often coping mechanisms, but due to a lack of understanding, they can be misinterpreted as dangerous. In reality, these behaviours are ways for someone to protect themselves.” 

During this time, Shona continued to struggle. Her mental health deteriorated further and she spent periods in the hospital. “I can recall a comment dismissing my condition, suggesting that I was just copying other people’s symptoms. At one point, it was only through an understanding police officer becoming involved that I was taken seriously at the hospital and offered help.” 

schizophrenia diagnosis and stability 

A turning point came when Shona was assigned a new psychiatrist who truly listened and cared. “We were able to build a good relationship, which led to my schizophrenia diagnosis.” After trialling different medications, they found a medication which brought her some relief. 

“Consistency is crucial in helping treat mental health conditions,” Shona emphasises. “Being able to build a good, trusting relationship with my psychiatrist enabled me to manage better and lead a better quality of life.” 

However, after nine years, her psychiatrist retired, leading to a series of changes in her care team. Over the next 12 years, Shona had around 12 different psychiatrists, which disrupted her progress. Her current psychiatrist is supportive, but she often wonders how long this stability will last. 

Lynne pointed out that a lack of continuity can greatly affect how supported someone feels. She has seen this happen often with people who experience conditions causing hallucinations and sensory disturbances. 

“For someone living with severe and enduring mental illness, being asked to retell their story repeatedly, especially with changing professionals, prevents deeper understanding. This can lead to frustration, feelings of being unheard and even a sense of unworthiness – something that their voices can often reinforce.” 

Despite this progress, Shona’s struggles with eating became an invisible challenge. 

“I still haven’t been able to access additional support for my eating. That is almost invisible to others now. I have reached out to my mental health team, but they just tell me I am fine. My medication causes weight gain, so people just look at what is visible, not the difficulties I live with every day.”

“I felt heard and supported” – support through Hearing Voices

When Shona first connected with Change Mental Health’s Hearing Voices service in Fife, she found something she had never experienced before: a sense of understanding and belonging. After years of managing her voices alone, the service offered her support that was both practical and compassionate.