2024-11-02 16:30:00
Health anthropologist, Aurélien Troisoeufs, at the Sainte‐Anne hospital center, in Paris, September 4, 2024. CLARA WATT FOR “LE MONDE”
Health anthropologist, Aurélien Troisoeufs takes over as director of the mental health – human and social sciences research laboratory of the Paris psychiatry and neurosciences university hospital group (GHU). This team of nine people is carrying out work there, particularly on the figures of peer assistancethe use of people with experience of mental illness and training, and on neighborhood issues people suffering from mental disorders.
You have always worked as an anthropologist in the field of mental health. How did you come to psychiatry?
I was 17, barely out of adolescence. I always felt very free in my education and I wanted to experience confinement. I had two options: prison or the psychiatric hospital. And I arrived in psychiatry as a hospital services agent (ASH). I discovered an environment where I always felt very comfortable. I did two hours of cleaning and then, presto, I was directly with the patients. They made me review my lessons. I met such a diversity of people, such richness! All emotions are multiplied. You have creativity, you of course have people who are suffering, but some are full of joy, sometimes maybe too much. I experienced incredible things there. These first experiences still carry me today. This is my Proust madeleine.
You then continued to clean the hospital, for your anthropology observations…
Yes. This is what we call in sociology “dirty work”. But it’s the gateway to the invisibility of everything you do as an anthropologist. It is often said that the ASH is just after the patient in the hierarchical organization. When I clean, I don’t scare anyone. Not to caregivers, because I am not supposed to have judgment on their work, and not to patients. I didn’t discover psychiatry in books. It was also an ASH who taught me what it was. She had no theoretical knowledge, but twenty-five years of psychiatry behind her. She introduced people to me in her own way. Without necessarily their diagnosis. It affected my approach to anthropology, which focused on relationships, on what people say and do to each other. Each time, I enter through the patient, but it is also to question the relationships with the health professionals.
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**Interview with Aurélien Troisoeufs: New Director of the Mental Health Laboratory at GHU**
**Date:** November 2, 2024
**Location:** Sainte-Anne Hospital Center, Paris
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Aurélien. You’ve recently taken on the role of director at the mental health-human and social sciences research laboratory at GHU. What motivated you to step into this pivotal position?
**Aurélien Troisoeufs:** Thank you for having me. My motivation stems from a long-standing commitment to understanding the complex interplay between mental health and social contexts. Throughout my career, I’ve explored how people with lived experiences of mental illness can contribute to their own care and the broader community. This role provides an opportunity to deepen that exploration, particularly through innovative peer assistance models and neighborhood initiatives.
**Interviewer:** Your research emphasizes the participation of users in healthcare. Can you elaborate on what that entails?
**Aurélien Troisoeufs:** Absolutely. Involving users—those who have experienced mental health challenges—in the healthcare process is crucial. They bring invaluable perspectives that can inform treatment and support methods. We work on creating frameworks where users can take on roles as peer assistants, helping others navigate their mental health journeys. It’s about fostering empowerment and learning through shared experiences.
**Interviewer:** That’s a fascinating approach. You mentioned ‘figures of peer assistance’ and neighborhood issues in your work. How do these elements intersect in your research?
**Aurélien Troisoeufs:** Peer assistance and neighborhood dynamics are closely linked. Many individuals facing mental health struggles often feel isolated. By cultivating supportive community environments and integrating peer assistants, we can address both relational and structural barriers. We find that stronger community ties can lead to better mental health outcomes, and our research aims to demonstrate and enhance these connections.
**Interviewer:** Your journey into psychiatry started at a young age. Can you share more about how that experience shaped your career?
**Aurélien Troisoeufs:** Yes, it was quite formative. At 17, I sought an understanding of confinement—my choices were either a prison or a psychiatric hospital. I chose the latter, and that experience opened my eyes to the nuances of mental health care. It instilled a deep curiosity about the systems in place and the human experiences behind mental illness, which ultimately guided me towards anthropology and research.
**Interviewer:** Moving forward, what are your aspirations for the laboratory under your direction?
**Aurélien Troisoeufs:** I hope to foster an interdisciplinary approach that bridges anthropology, psychiatry, and social sciences. My goal is to empower my team to conduct meaningful research that not only advances academic knowledge but also has a tangible impact on individuals’ lives. We’re committed to fostering inclusive dialogue among users, professionals, and researchers to create more effective mental health strategies.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Aurélien. Your insights are truly inspiring, and your work holds great promise for the future of mental health care.
**Aurélien Troisoeufs:** Thank you for the conversation. I’m excited about what lies ahead and the potential to make a difference.
