Living Library puts stories about psychological problems in the spotlight

This afternoon you could get acquainted with “living books” in Roeselare. People of flesh and blood with a story about psychological problems. Anyone who wanted to could talk to them.

“As you may know, I recently hit my limits, both physically and mentally. I cycled a lot, walked along the coast, talked about it a lot with other people.” Flemish Minister of Welfare Hilde Crevits addresses the public in a video message. She herself also had mental problems some time ago. In this way she supports the initiative ‘Living books’ of Arhus in Roeselare, in collaboration with the Sint-Jozefskliniek in Pittem.

These people all have a story about psychological problems. Talking about it is the first step. Koen Lavens, Sint-Jozefskliniek Pittem: “I think for people who really still struggle with that vulnerability, it is still a giant step to talk about it, actually. And that is also part of the goal we want to achieve today to make negotiating a lot easier for people.”

Marijke is such a person who has learned to talk about her mental problems. And she is now passing on that experience to others. Marijke De Waegeneer: “That taboo is changing very much. Also by a number of well-known people, TV faces who dare to testify honestly about their weakness, which is not actually a weakness, but who dare to admit that it also happens to me. that taboo solved (read more below the photo)

“It looks a bit like speed dating, but the formula is nice, that’s true. It’s nice because you can actually get to know people well in a short time. Especially if there is a story behind it that they have chosen themselves. I I am very curious to meet people and share my story and possibly also exchange experiences, because I think that can be very interesting for both parties.”