Lillhagen Is Still Elsewhere: Approaching a Dismantled Mental Hospital

Elisabeth Punzi; Helena Lindbom

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Chapter 3 Lillhagen Is Still Elsewhere: Approaching a Dismantled Mental Hospital

In: Narrating the Heritage of Psychiatry

Authors:

Elisabeth Punzi

Elisabeth Punzi
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Helena Lindbom

Helena Lindbom
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 35–56

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004519848_005

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Abstract

This chapter is the result of a cooperation between Helena Lindbom, with a background as a journalist and as an inmate at some of the large and now dismantled mental hospitals in Sweden, and Elisabeth Punzi, a clinical psychologist, researcher and lecturer in social work. We share an interest in the heritage of psychiatry. This article aims to demonstrate the power of narratives, and human encounters, and we perceive narratives of patients¹ as central for remembrance, and for avoiding current oppression, abuse, and de-humanizing practices. We aim to illustrate that dismantled mental hospitals need to be approached and understood with respect to embodied memories and sensations, as the body also has a narrative to tell.

The case study by which we aim to demonstrate such an alternative approach to the heritage of psychiatry, is Lillhagen psychiatric hospital in Sweden. Instead of privileging the perspective of ‘experts’ in the construction of Lillhagen’s heritage, we combine two highly personal accounts of memories surrounding Lillhagen with an academic exploration of Lillhagen. Our focus lies on the ways in which the place and its buildings are imbued with meaning, through the lived experience of the patients, and how their narratives can allow us to learn from the past.

The chapter begins with a presentation of Lillhagen. This is followed by Helena’s narrative about her experiences of Lillhagen and other institutions, and Elisabeth’s narrative, which is inspired by Helena’s narrative and Elisabeth’s experience of being part of psychiatry, as a professional. Thereafter, we present how we worked together, followed by the theoretical concepts about places and how they can be narrated, that guided our work. Our reflections and experiences are integrated with the presentations. Finally, we reflect on our joint work and present our thoughts about remembrance and how patients, researchers, clinicians, and others, might work together. We intend our perspectives to contribute to the multi-faceted remembrance of dismantled mental hospitals, as well as to humane approaches and practices in the present and in the future.

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Narrating the Heritage of Psychiatry

Series: Narratives and Mental Health, Volume: 1

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004519848

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 09 Oct 2024

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Chapter 3 Lillhagen Is Still Elsewhere: Approaching a Dismantled Mental Hospital

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Narrating the Heritage of Psychiatry

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