Johanna Couvée (she/her)
Curator, researcher, workshop- and process facilitator. Research focus: analysis of public debates on mental health, towards critical and non-discriminatory mental health 'literacies'.
Hi ! I am a Brussels-based curator, researcher, workshop facilitator and former cultural worker.
As a PhD candidate at Ghent University, I conduct a rhetorical and discursive study of contemporary public debates on mental health. In doing so, I study what cultural and systemic logics and dynamics are at play in public understandings and acting on mental health within hegemonized and marginalized spaces. I thereby aim to inquire how knowledge on mental health is constructed and negotiated in these spaces, and critically examine the notion of mental health literacy.
Besides, together with Bouchra Lamsyeh, I founded and co-curate the nomadic cultural program entitled 'There is Nothing Wrong with People, but you cannot self-love your way out of systemic oppression’ (TiNWwP). TiNWwP looks at the intersection of mental health and social justice, and is a welcoming space composed of performances, workshops, talks & parties. Find us @tinwwp or nothingwrongwithpeople.com. I also facilitate workshops for cultural, educational and governmental organizations on topics related to whiteness, patriarchy and well-being aimed to deconstruct power dynamics in a mental, embodied and activating way.
In my work, I am interested in understanding the impact of social conditions and mechanisms of oppression on well-being. Or, in how the personal is political and the political is personal. Trained as a sociologist (Université Libre de Bruxelles, BE) and somatic psychologist (University of Leiden, NL), I explore ways to connect therapeutic embodiment practices to collective transformation. I also strongly believe in the power of artistic expression as a medium to change perspectives and habits, and work towards new social realities.
I am interested in exchanging on my work and these topics, so feel free to reach out via mail.
De Krook (4th Floor)
M. Makebaplein 1, 9000 Ghent
&
UGent, Department of Educational Studies, Office 120.043
Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent
Credits photo: Burezi