Call for papers for the 1st “Mental illness and health in art, literature and history” Conference, 9 – 10 May 2022

Keynote Speaker:   TBA

Abstract Due Date: 10 April 2022

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This conference brings together academics, researchers, psychologists, counselors and humanists from a wide variety of fields, for a collaborative, multidisciplinary exploration of the many ways mental illness and health have been represented. Abstracts are peer-reviewed. Themes and issues for the conference include, but are not limited to:

 

Stream A          Depression

History, literature and the arts and humanities record many varieties of human experiences of and responses to depression. We welcome explorations of how this form of suffering has been represented, across literature, media and the arts, global cultures and identities. What are the risk factors, causes, processes, symptoms, sensitivities, dysfunctions and co-morbidities? What are its precursors and consequences? How can it be alleviated, helped, lifted or “cured”? How has it been depicted, represented, explored and understood?

 

Stream B        Language illness and health

Expressing pain, illness and psychological distress has culturlly speciifc elements. We learn to express how we feel in our mother tongue, and according to the family, local, cultural, and media conventions we are exposed to. Further, people often use other forms of expression – our bodies, art, music and writing are ways we express discomfort, distress and illness, and also wellness, happiness and health. We welcome papers exploring any aspect of the language and communication of mental illness, and mental wellness.

 

Stream C          Suicide

Among the most alarming of mental health issues is suicide, a topic often so difficult it is culturally taboo. Yet history, literature, media and the arts have acknowledged and explored this form of human despair. We welcome papers exploring any aspect or element of this difficult topic, across literature, media and the arts, global cultures and identities. What are the risk factors, causes, processes, symptoms, sensitivities, dysfunctions and co-morbidities? What are its precursors and consequences? How can it be alleviated, helped, lifted or “cured”? How has it been depicted, represented, explored and understood in the Covid-19 pandemic?

 

Stream D          Data analytics and mental health

In order to explore these issues in their public contexts, we are soliciting research cooperation from academics and researchers, psychologists, people working in education and pastoral care, and others. These papers use data from structured interview questions, and evaluate this data with sentiment analysis software. Conference participants interested in cooperating with this effort will publish papers in a journal special issue with HEDRA advisory board members.  If you are interested in this, please click here.

 

The conference welcomes abstracts from academics and researchers working in humanities, psychology, public health, social sciences and education, as well as in interdisciplinary and interprofessional fields, and others. Participants will be able to watch a plenary session, and participate in a live-stream roundtable, and a conference roundtable discussions.

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