Living book at the library

A presentation of an initiative aimed at breaking down social barriers

Abstract

Background: Stigmatisation of individuals with mental illness is a social issue that can lead to discrimination and exclusion. This situation can upset patients' already fragile mental state and increase their sense of vulnerability. The broader society often lacks awareness of the true qualities of individuals with mental health issues and does not possess credible information about their daily lives and living conditions. Additionally, society is deprived of their personal experiences, which helps to perpetuate widespread stereotypes and prejudices. These factors create significant barriers to the social inclusion and reintegration of people with mental illness. Experience in day-to-day patient care supports this understanding. In this article, we present a project that employs the "living book method" as a tool to build connections between people with mental illness and members of mainstream society.

Method: The "Living Book Method" is an internationally recognised tool for social sensitisation and combating stigma. This approach aims to establish a personal connection between members of marginalised social groups and individuals interested in understanding their experiences through personal life stories. The meetings are well-structured, pre-arranged, and voluntary for both parties. Additionally, for individuals with mental health challenges, sharing and openly discussing their own life stories has been shown to have therapeutic benefits, contributing to the restoration of their mental well-being.

Results: Our project has facilitated face-to-face interactions that would not have occurred otherwise. These conversations took place not only between individuals who were ill and those who were well but also fostered genuine connections among all participants. Each discussion was confidential, respectful, and characterised by mutual understanding, which contributed to improving the mental well-being of both parties and enhancing their understanding of each other's situations.

Conclusions: Implementing projects like this one can help reduce exclusionary thinking and stigma in society. Based on our project's conduct and evaluation, we conclude that similar initiatives are essential to enhancing scientific knowledge and supporting the rehabilitation of psychiatric patients.