Mad Pride in Geneva aims to destigmatise mental illnesses
Participants in Geneva's Mad Pride
Keystone
Some 500 people have taken to the streets of Geneva as part of the first Mad Pride to be held in Switzerland. The festive procession of patients and their relatives as well as carers aimed to remove the stigma from psychological illness.
“Let’s be crazy, let’s be us!” chanted many participants on Thursday, World Mental Health Day. Signs addressed mental illness in a humorous way, using the French words for nutters, fruitcakes and screwballs. Some people wore funnels on their head.
“They’re playing with their own image instead of hiding,” said Michel Pluss, director of the Trajets foundationExternal link, which since 1979 has promoted the social and professional integration of people with mental problems.
Pluss initiated this event along with CoraaspExternal link, an umbrella group for associations that deal with mental health in French-speaking Switzerland.
“We’re like everyone else with our small and big worries,” said Carole, who lives in the village of Aigues-VertesExternal link, an institution for people with disabilities.
Adéi, another participant, wanted to raise awareness of personality disorders.
‘Can affect us all’
Mad Pride is held in the same spirit as the Gay Prides with the idea of using the city to get across a message on mental health, diversity and citizenship, according to Coraasp.
“It’s time to be able to talk about mental health the way we talk about physical health, to be able to say that we suffer from depression or schizophrenia the way we say we suffer from cancer or heart disease,” the organisers said.
“Mental illness can affect us all at some point in our lives,” Pluss said.
Demand for psychological care has risen in recent years, the study said. In 1997, 4.1% of the population was treated for psychological problems; this rose to 5.4% in 2012. The number of people visiting psychiatric specialists has increased significantly over the past ten years, from 283,000 in 2006 to 447,000 in 2015.
The Mad Pride movement originated in Toronto in 1993 in response to prejudices against people with a psychiatric history. The basic idea was to turn negative stereotypes and images about mental illness into something positive. The movement has since spread around the world.
More
More
Study calls for overhaul of workplace mental health care
This content was published on
While that while mental health disorders affect 20% of the workforce, supervisors rarely have the training to take action soon enough.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
New living space through densification often comes at expense of the poor
This content was published on
If demolition and new construction are carried out and tenants have to make way, low-income households are affected more often than average.
This content was published on
The ceasefire in the Iran-Israel war has visibly eased tensions on the financial markets. The SMI, Switzerland's leading stock market index, has risen above the 12,000 point mark again.
This content was published on
Geneva, which is facing several days of very hot weather, has raised its level of vigilance with regard to the risk of forest fires and is issuing an appeal for caution.
Zurich arbitration authority rules in favour of tenants of ‘Sugus Houses’
This content was published on
A conciliation authority says the terminations of 105 flat leases in the so-called "Sugus Houses" in the centre of Zurich were abusive. The tenants therefore do not have to move out - at least for the time being.
This content was published on
Visitors to Switzerland spent CHF19.6 billion ($23.9 billion) last year, a 2.2% rise compared to the previous year, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) said on Monday.
This content was published on
Despite the current tense economic situation, Swiss consumer sentiment remains positive. The Swiss spent more money in May than the previous year, particularly on restaurant visits and leisure activities, as shown by the latest figures released by PostFinance.
This content was published on
A bear killed four sheep in the Lower Engadine region near Scuol, canton Graubünden, last week. This was the first bear attack on local livestock in four years.
This content was published on
Experts believe that economic development in Switzerland will be weaker in 2026 than the forecasts made three months ago. They have also lowered their predictions for the current year.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Study identifies 20 new genes associated with bipolar disorder
This content was published on
An international research team, including scientists from the University of Basel, has identified 20 new genes associated with bipolar disorder.
Report highlights depression gulf between Swiss language regions
This content was published on
French and Italian-speaking residents suffer from almost double the rate of depression as German-speakers, a Swiss newspaper reports.
In Zurich, Syrians mobilise in bid to boost mental health
This content was published on
The men and women gathered in a spartan room are a moving reminder of the vitality and diversity of Syrian society when the country was blooming.
This content was published on
Basel scientists have published a study showing links between LSD and negative emotions, results which could be used to treat depression and anxiety.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.