WE BELIEVE THAT WHILST CURRENT SERVICES DO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MENTAL HEALTH PROVISION,
THEY DO NOT, AND WILL NOT, SUIT EVERYONE.
THE ORIGINAL SOTERIA HOUSE
Loren Mosher was inspired that being-with a person experiencing a psychotic episode in a small, supportive and protective setting would achieve a therapeutic effect to rival traditional hospital-based treatments. The house was staffed by non-professionals trained to empathise, maintain patient autonomy and encourage patients to stay connected to their usual social networks and environments
LOREN MOSHER
For over a decade he held a central position in American psychiatric research and led the Soteria Project. Mosher was inspired by the existential-phenomenological approach and hypothesised that being-with a person experiencing a psychotic episode in a small, supportive and protective setting would achieve a therapeutic effect to rival traditional hospital-based treatments.
SOTERIA UK NETWORK
Formed in 2004 following a national speaking tour by the late Loren Mosher, Soteria Network UK is a network of people in the UK promoting the development of drug-free and minimum medication therapeutic environments for people experiencing ‘psychosis’. The Soteria UK Network is part of an international movement striving for more humane, non-coercive mental health services.
THE SOTERIA BRADFORD HOUSE 2015-2016
Following a local conference in Saltaire, Bradford in 2009, the Soteria Bradford group formed. The aim was to open a Soteria House and to raise £25,000.00 to run the house and originally support 1 person in crisis. The house opened in 2015 and within we supported 5 people and their families in the house and in the community
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships are central to the community. We are trained in Mindful Companionship. We share an understanding of what ‘being-with’ is rather than ‘acting upon’, 'leaping in' or 'intruding upon' someone in personal crisis who may be hearing voices or having unusual beliefs.
“Soteria isn't just a place for people to come to when they are in distress, but rather it is a space for continual learning and growing as a person. And what I love is that we all get to experience it together.”
(LR Mindful Companion)
HOUSEMATE RECEIVING SUPPORT
“Soteria has been a huge help to me. After being in hospital for 6 months I then went home and isolated myself in my room for a few months. Soteria helped in so many ways. Socialising was the best way of building my life up. Talking with housemates about interests, having a laugh, cooking together, going for walks, making friends along the way. You start to remember who you were as a person and now ';m back to my bubbly, happy self and I have Soteria to thank for that.".
(Housemate 2015)