Heart Forward Conversations from the Heart
The American mental health system is broken beyond repair. Rather than trying to tweak a system which fails everyone, it is time to commit to a bold vision for a better way forward. This podcast explores the American system against the plumb line of an international best practice, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), in Trieste, Italy. The 40-year old Trieste model demonstrates how a community-based treatment system upholds the human rights of the people served. The Trieste story is anti-institutional and models the therapeutic value of social connection. Topics will address contemporary challenges in the American failed mental health system as contrasted with the Italian approach toward accoglienza – or radical hospitality – as the underpinning of their remarkable culture of caring for people. Interviews will touch upon how the guiding principles of the Italian system – social recovery, whole person care, system accountability, and the human right to a purposeful life – are non-negotiable aspects if we are to have any hope of forging a new way forward in our American mental health system. This podcast is curated and hosted by Kerry Morrison, founder and project director of Heart Forward LA (https://www.heartforwardla.org/). Heart Forward is collaborating with Aaron Stern at Verdugo Sound as the technical partner in producing this podcast (https://www.verdugosound.com). Kerry Morrison is also the author of the blog www.accoglienza.us.
Heart Forward Conversations from the Heart
How I learned to love my madness: A conversation with author Elena Cerkvenic
Elena Cerkvenic recently published a book, Sono Schizofrenica e amo la mia follia, which translated means: I am schizophrenic and I love my madness. This book ia part of a new series being published – La Collana 180: Archivo Critico della Salute Mentale by Meltemi, a publisher in Milan.
Elena meets with us to share her story as a young woman, living in Trieste, excited by her career studying and teaching languages and literature with a bright future ahead of her. While on a study visit in Munich, at the age of 29, she experienced a psychiatric disruption that was sudden, scary and unexplainable.
Her life now is bright and full and she describes herself as happy and empowered. She credits the mental health services in Trieste for supporting her recovery and coming alongside her as a “family,” especially during about 20 years of suffering when she was quite isolated and somewhat abandoned by her family and friends.
Elena was motivated to write this book as a source of hope for others who should not give up on their recovery and their future. She provides a very first-person glimpse into the mental health services in Trieste and feels grateful for the kindness of the people she met along the way and their belief in her potential.
Bio from the official website for the book:
Elena Cerkvenič was born in Trieste into a Slovene minority family. A graduate in Languages, she has taught German in middle and high schools. She is currently involved in initiatives for the dissemination of Slovenian language and culture and is involved in associations of people who live or have lived the same experience as her. Her publications include the poetry collections Amore chissà se (2009) and Sapor di.vini (2012).
Links:
"Sono schizofrenica e amo la mia follia": presentato il libro di Elena Cerkvenič - RTV SLO
She speaks about the influence of philosopher Pier Aldo Rovatti.
If you want to reach out to Elena, please send an email to kerryhmorrison@gmail.com.