"Sipario!" : dal palcoscenico all'inclusione sociale

Theater activities and rehearsals in the psychiatric daytime centre "Ulisse" in Forlì, are proposed to patients and workers as creative and innovative long life learning process. These activities are able to improve both specific and transversal skills. "Ulisse" daytime centre promotes psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery using theatre techniques since 2000. These activities created opportunities of cooperation and selfreflection among operators (5 nurses and educators) and users. Exercises and activities are the same for both groups, and all techniques and skills learned during the course can be used in daily life. This local theater rehabilitation project is part of a regional one, that involves all Mental Health Public Services in EmiliaRomagna Region. The main aim of this board is to improve selfexpression skill, creativity and communication capability of patients and workers of public mental health services.

Last but not least, the project leads to a cognitive improvement between people with mental disorders. In both groups we find: better selfknowledge, better relationships, improvement in communication skills and increase in concentration and memorization. One of the most important goal of the project is the social inclusion; shows and performances are moments of social attendance for the actors. The theater performances over turn care roles and power. The audience can also empathize with actors and appreciate social skills and abilities of people with mental diseases. [Publisher's text].