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Stigmamente's Youth Impact (2005-2025) a brief report

 

Stigmamente – Art, Media and Psychiatry

Stigmamente is a non-profit organisation that develops projects related to mental health promotion, social inclusion and stigma reduction, integrating research, education and cultural production.

Among its main initiatives is the StigmaQuest protocol, a semi-qualitative research and educational tool designed to explore stereotypes and public stigma toward mental health conditions and neurodiversity. The method combines questionnaires, narrative reflection and group discussion and has been used in educational workshops and participatory activities with students and young people.

The organisation promotes non-formal learning activities, including psychoeducational workshops, youth discussions, cultural events and artistic initiatives that stimulate dialogue on diversity, identity and social inclusion.

Experience as Youth Worker

Stigmamente has more than 15 years of experience working with young people through educational and cultural initiatives.

School-based prevention programmes

He participated in primary prevention campaigns in upper secondary schools (15–18 years old) promoted by the Regional Government of Apulia, addressing:

  • psychological distress among adolescents

  • stigma related to mental health

  • discrimination and social exclusion

These activities used literature, cinema and visual arts as educational tools to stimulate reflection, empathy and dialogue among students.


University collaboration

From 2005 to 2014, he worked as media consultant for the Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Foggia, supporting communication initiatives on mental health awareness and stigma reduction.


Current collaboration

He currently collaborates as external consultant for European project proposals and inclusion initiatives on neurodiversity with DSM – Department of Mental Health, ASL Foggia, Regional Public Library "Magna Capitana", University of Foggia, Municipality of Foggia, Municipality of Manfredonia.

Youth Participation and Democratic Engagement

Many of the initiatives coordinated by Luigi Starace promote active youth participation in discussions on social inclusion, diversity and mental health rights.

Workshops and participatory activities encourage young people to:

  • critically analyse stereotypes and social representations

  • discuss discrimination and stigma

  • develop awareness of mental health rights and public health policies

  • participate in dialogue about inclusive societies.

The StigmaQuest participatory workshops transform research tools into spaces for democratic dialogue, allowing young people to express opinions and reflect on social narratives.

Cultural and Artistic Initiatives for Inclusion

Stigmamente integrates arts and media into youth participation and social inclusion work.

Key initiatives include:

#Uaremyproblem (www.uaremyproblem.blogspot.com)
An international digital art exhibition presented at The Wrong – International Digital Art Biennale, exploring identity, stigma and social labelling through global artistic participation.

Scivoli per la mente 
A documentary project focused on narratives of mental health and stigma, used as an educational tool in awareness campaigns, including initiatives connected with AReS Puglia (Regional Strategic Agency for Health).

Mail Art Stigma
An international participatory art project involving artists from different countries to reflect on stigma and social representation.

La Mente al Cinema
A film forum directed by Luigi Starace that promotes dialogue between cinema, psychology and social inclusion.

Good Practice on Inclusive Youth Participation

One good practice I would be happy to share is the StigmaQuest participatory workshop model, developed within the activities of Stigmamente – Art, Media and Psychiatry.

StigmaQuest is a semi-qualitative participatory research and educational method designed to explore stereotypes, stigma and social perceptions related to mental health and diversity. It combines questionnaires, narrative reflection and group discussion, allowing young people to actively analyse how social labels and prejudices are constructed and how these affect inclusion and participation.

The method has been implemented with university students and upper secondary school students (15–18 years old) during prevention and awareness programmes carried out in collaboration with universities and regional public health initiatives. These workshops encourage young participants to reflect critically on stigma, discrimination and diversity, transforming research activities into spaces for democratic dialogue and youth participation.

A distinctive aspect of this practice is the integration of arts and media-based learning, including literature, cinema and visual arts. These tools help young people express personal perspectives, discuss sensitive topics and engage in collective reflection. This approach has also been extended through cultural initiatives such as the international digital art exhibition #Uaremyproblem, presented at The Wrong Biennale, which invited artists and young participants from different countries to explore stigma, identity and social labelling.

In addition, audiovisual storytelling has been used as an inclusive educational tool. I contributed to the documentary “Scivoli per la mente” and participated in communication and media initiatives connected to mental health awareness campaigns promoted by AReS Puglia (Regional Strategic Agency for Health of the Apulia Regional Government).

From 2005 to 2014 I also collaborated as media consultant with the Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Foggia, supporting communication and dissemination activities related to mental health and stigma prevention. Currently I collaborate as an external consultant on European project proposals and inclusion initiatives related to neurodiversity with the ILDSM – Department of Mental Health of ASL Foggia.


Good Practice: StigmaQuest Participatory Model

Overall, this practice shows how research, arts, media communication and public health initiatives can be integrated to promote inclusive youth participation, empower young voices and foster greater awareness about mental health, diversity and social inclusion.One of the main practices developed by Luigi Starace, Madia Ferretti Pd.D and Antonello Bellomo (Ordinary professor of Psychiatry, Univesity of Foggia)  is the StigmaQuest participatory workshop model.

The methodology combines:

  • research tools

  • non-formal education

  • artistic and narrative approaches

to help young people explore stigma, stereotypes and diversity.

Participants analyse social perceptions, discuss cultural narratives and develop critical awareness about discrimination and inclusion, strengthening democratic participation and social responsibility.

Experience with Specific Youth Groups

Stigmamente – Art, Media and Psychiatry has engaged with several groups of young people who may experience barriers to participation, particularly in relation to mental health stigma, social exclusion and access to opportunities.

Neurodivergent young people
A significant part of our work focuses on neurodiversity awareness and stigma reduction. Through workshops, psychoeducational activities and research initiatives such as the StigmaQuest protocol, we explore public attitudes toward neurodivergence and mental health conditions while promoting inclusive dialogue among students, youth workers and educators.

Young people affected by poverty or socio-economic barriers
Some of our activities take place in public schools and community settings where students may face socio-economic challenges. Through primary prevention programmes in upper secondary schools (ages 15–18) supported by regional institutions, we addressed psychological distress, stigma and discrimination, using literature, cinema and visual arts to encourage participation and expression among students.

Rural young people
Part of our work has been carried out in schools and communities in Southern Italy, including areas where young people may have fewer cultural and educational opportunities. Cultural initiatives such as film forums, participatory art projects and educational workshops help create accessible spaces for dialogue and social participation.

Young people with intellectual disabilities
Although our work is primarily focused on mental health awareness and neurodiversity, some initiatives and public events have included collaboration with professionals and organisations working with young people with intellectual disabilities, promoting inclusive communication and awareness about diversity.

Through these activities, the main goal is to reduce stigma, promote participation and create inclusive environments where young people with different backgrounds and vulnerabilities can express themselves and be heard.

Target Groups

The main target groups of his activities include:

  • young people aged 15–25

  • university students

  • youth workers and educators

  • neurodivergent young people

  • young people facing psychosocial vulnerability

  • students in socio-economically disadvantaged contexts.

Areas of Expertise

  • youth participation and civic engagement

  • mental health awareness

  • stigma reduction

  • neurodiversity inclusion

  • psychosocial research

  • non-formal education

  • arts-based learning

  • medical humanities and science communication.


Motivation for Erasmus+ Activities

Stigmamente is interested in Erasmus+ activities to:

  • exchange practices with European youth workers

  • develop new methods for inclusive youth participation

  • strengthen projects on mental health awareness and stigma reduction

  • build international partnerships for future European initiatives.

He aims to integrate research, culture and youth participation to support more inclusive and stigma-aware communities across Europe.













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