Mental Illness and Identity

<p>In this lively interview series from the <a href="https://www.thersa.org/">RSA</a>, <a href="https://www.thersa.org/discover/matthew-taylors-blog">Matthew Taylor</a>, puts a range of practitioners on the spot - from scholars to business leaders, politicians to journalists - by asking for big ideas to help build effective bridges to our new future. </p><p>Noga Arikkha has long been fascinated with mental illness and the way we understand identity. Researching her new book, the philosopher and historian spent 18 months at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital in Paris studying what happens when the mind goes wrong – and how our physical experiences inform our identities. </p><p><a href="https://nogaarikha.com/about-1">Noga Arikha</a> is a philosopher and historian of ideas. She works as a science humanist, fostering dialogues between neuroscientists, psychologists, clinicians, social scientists, humanists and artists in order to bring to a general audience accessible accounts that analyse the origins of our deepest concerns about our embodied, feeling and thinking selves. Her latest book, <a href="https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/noga-arikha/the-ceiling-outside/9781541600874/">The Ceiling Outside: The Science and Experience of the Disrupted Mind</a>, is an exploration of brain, self, dementia and medicine based on the stories of neuropsychiatric patients. </p><p>A <a href="https://www.tempotalker.com/">Tempo & Talker</a> production for the RSA. </p><p>In this time of global change, strong communities and initiatives that bring people together are more invaluable than ever before. The <a href="https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join-the-fellowship">RSA Fellowship</a> is a global network of problem solvers. We invite you to join our community today to stay connected, inspired and motivated in the months ahead. </p><p>You can learn more about the Fellowship or start an application by clicking <a href="https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join-the-fellowship">here.</a></p>