Life behind Mental Illness


  • Photographer
    Winifred Chiocchia
  • Prize
    2nd Place / Editorial/Photo Essay and Feature Story
  • Company/Studios
    Freelance
  • Date of Photograph
    September 2014 / January 2015
  • Technical Info
    Canon 5D Mark III, 35mm/50mm

The series of pictures documents life at Bădiceni’s Psycho-neurological Boarding House, an Institute whose buildings are located in Moldova, a few kilometers from the nearest vilage of Bădiceni. The complex houses more than 400 patients, approximately 50 per cent women and 50 per cent men, all affected by different mental and physical disorders. Between the most common are: epilepsy, schizophrenia, paralysis and more. The origin of the patients differs from case to case, most of them were sent under medical commission after staying until the age of majority into institutes which were very similar, but specific for children. Others, were brought by families too poor to assist them, or simply came after the death of all parents. Every patient has its own sad story.The staff does everything possible to assist with serious attention, love and dedication all the people, but the number of workers allocated by the Ministry is very small compared to what would be necessary.Most patients, once entered the institute, stay in it until death. There are men and women who live at the Boarding House since 30 years. While staying at the Boarding House I spent time with the patients, following their daily life, realizing how hard it could be and observing at the same time, how strong were human relations developed between them.

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