Fighting Stigma in the Community

Bosco, Nicolina; Giaccherini, Susanna; Petrini, Fausto; Castagnoli, Stefano; Meringolo, Patrizia

doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-3808-0.ch006

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 65 publications

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“…Many theater programs have involved people with lived mental health experience as actors (Massa et al, 2020). Recovery-oriented community-based theater has shown benefits for individuals with mental health concerns (Bosco et al, 2014; Cook, 2020; Noble, 2005; Torrissen & Stickley, 2018), including an improved sense of belonging, hope, and empowerment, and improved self-advocacy skills. Involvement in an improvisation and acting group improved psychotic-like experiences and functioning among youth at-risk for psychosis (Tang et al, 2020).…”

Section: Art As a Social Psychological Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Who is afraid of Hermy and Jimmy? Relating to and normalizing psychosis through theater.

Landa,

Levitt,

Jespersen

et al. 2023

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal

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Objective: Psychotic experiences, such as hearing voices that others do not hear, being afraid of threats that others do not perceive, or believing in ideas that others find implausible can be confusing for those who face them and challenging to relate to for those who do not, leading to alienation and social exclusion. The objective of this article is to discuss how immersion in theater can enhance our understanding of human nature and facilitate a social environment that supports the recovery of individuals with psychosis. Methods: Drawing on theories of the psychology of art and narrative psychology, this conceptual article discusses a theatrical production, a play, titled “Voices,” created by a person with lived experience of voice hearing. We apply Semenov’s model of art as a social psychological system as a guiding framework to focus on the roles of the art product, artist–author, artist–performer, and recipient. Results: Theater is a uniquely reciprocal art form where actors and spectators share emotional, intellectual, and cathartic experiences, which could foster interpersonal connection, personal growth, and empathy. This article brings new perspective on how theater can elucidate psychotic experiences, encourage dialogue about these experiences, and facilitate social integration and recovery of individuals living with psychosis. Conclusion and Implications for Practice: Theater can promote social change, making space for a wider range of perspectives in society. Engaging individuals with lived experiences of psychosis in theatrical productions could lead to new insights about and acceptance of psychotic experiences, both for these individuals and for society at large.

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