We are here, too - on mental health abroad
Temporada 1
por Francesca Lo Verso
Let's connect Also known as expat depression (or moving abroad blues), depression is a common experience among those living abroad. However, a thrilling and enriching experience, living abroad comes with its challenges, which may trigger low mood and feelings of depression. In this episode, I will share what I learned from my depression when living abroad, and if you want to read more, check the blog post about it. ---------We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!Host and editor: Francesca Lo Versowww.francescacounselling.comIG: @francesca_ecosomaticsFB: francescaloversocounsellingEmail: info@francescacounselling.comCover illustration: Candela Sánchez www.candelasanchezart.comIG: @delasre_drawsMusic: Su SanTikTok: susanwithaspaceSpotify: Su San
Let's connect Today, we will navigate the intricate labyrinth of guilt accompanying migration (also known as expat guilt). This journey is not just for migrants but anyone who seeks to understand the emotional turmoil of those who have left their homeland. We'll peel back the layers of guilt, revealing its role as a moral compass that guides our decisions and its manifestation as fear and self-doubt. By asking ourselves the right questions, we'll attempt to uncover the roots of this guilt, offering fresh perspectives on how we view and understand this complex emotion.As we continue our emotional exploration, we'll venture into the turbulent waters of guilt resolution and the importance of seeking support. Recognising guilt as a double-edged sword, beneficial in decision-making but potentially destructive if left unchecked, we'll explore the healing power of self-compassion. The road to understanding and overcoming guilt should not be tread upon alone: sharing our feelings and experiences with others can offer us comfort and understanding during hard times. I hope you enjoy listening!And if you want to read more about guilt and life abroad, I wrote a blog post about this, which you can read here. You may also like: S2E2: Holiday guilt trip S3E3: The somatics of guilt abroad S4E5: Aging parents and the distance between us ---------We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!Host and editor: Francesca Lo Versowww.francescacounselling.comIG: @francesca_ecosomaticsFB: francescaloversocounsellingEmail: info@francescacounselling.comCover illustration: Candela Sánchez www.candelasanchezart.comIG: @delasre_drawsMusic: Su SanTikTok: susanwithaspaceSpotify: Su San
Let's connect Have you ever grappled with the multi-layered challenges of cultural identity as a foreigner?When we move abroad, our sense of identity changes, and there could be many reasons for this. Leaving our home, community, and cultural background and adapting to a new environment can be challenging and lead to feelings of identity confusion and loss. For many people, their cultural identity is closely tied to their sense of self (and only recently, I discovered that was my case, too).I'm Francesca, an Italian living in Scotland, and I'm here to share my experience and guide you through the maze of cultural stereotypes, expectations, and the sense of being a second-class citizen - all of which can lead to a profound identity crisis. As we navigate this journey, we'll uncover the stress and anxiety attached to cultural identity when living abroad and I'll offer you actionable steps to cope with the ongoing identity crisis. We'll explore how you can ground yourself in a new environment and find your sense of self amidst the chaos. We'll discuss strategies to adapt and integrate into a new society. If you're feeling directionless and unsettled, let's team up to navigate this significant change in your life. If you want to hear more about this topic: S3E1: Finding the self between borders S4E4: Identity tetris and how to fit different pieces of yourself together abroad ---------We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!Host and editor: Francesca Lo Versowww.francescacounselling.comIG: @francesca_ecosomaticsFB: francescaloversocounsellingEmail: info@francescacounselling.comCover illustration: Candela Sánchez www.candelasanchezart.comIG: @delasre_drawsMusic: Su SanTikTok: susanwithaspaceSpotify: Su San
Let's connect Ever felt completely out of your comfort zone while trying to blend into a new culture? This episode is an in-depth view of the challenging phenomenon of culture shock which often leads to internal conflict and confusion when moving abroad. You'll hear from my personal experiences of migration, the pleasant surprises, and the frustrating struggles that have shaped my understanding of culture shock.I'll provide practical guidance and strategies to manage culture shock while ensuring mental welbeing. I'll share tried and tested practices for making the migration process easier and pitfalls to avoid. Whether you're considering migrating for the first time or preparing for another move, you'll find valuable advice on preparation, building a support network, maintaining connections with loved ones back home, creating routines, learning the local language, and even having fun! Tune in for a close look at how culture, identity, and mental health intersect in the lives of those living abroad.If you want to read more about culture shock, you can check out the related blog post on my website. ---------We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!Host and editor: Francesca Lo Versowww.francescacounselling.comIG: @francesca_ecosomaticsFB: francescaloversocounsellingEmail: info@francescacounselling.comCover illustration: Candela Sánchez www.candelasanchezart.comIG: @delasre_drawsMusic: Su SanTikTok: susanwithaspaceSpotify: Su San
Let's connect Have you ever wondered how migrating to a different country might impact your mental health? This is the provocative question we explore in our first episode. My name is Francesca, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland, and in this episode (and in this podcast) I share personal experiences and professional insights on the impact of migration on mental health. A note: I don't shy away from discussing the critical importance of mental health, especially in a cross-cultural context. You'll be drawn in by vivid accounts, touching on issues such as recognizing stress cues, the variables in relocating and the wide-ranging effects on mental health. But it's not all about the struggles - I also share uplifting stories of hope and overcoming. Tune in to hear how fostering connection and communication can battle alienation and isolation whether you've moved countries yourself or are just intrigued by mental health discussions. Stay tuned till the end for resources and information that can support you, wherever you are on your mental health journey. ---------We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!Host and editor: Francesca Lo Versowww.francescacounselling.comIG: @francesca_ecosomaticsFB: francescaloversocounsellingEmail: info@francescacounselling.comCover illustration: Candela Sánchez www.candelasanchezart.comIG: @delasre_drawsMusic: Su SanTikTok: susanwithaspaceSpotify: Su San
Let's connect Welcome to We are here, too, a podcast about mental health and living abroad. Season 1 is about meaning-making, learning who we are with this new identity of migrant/foreigner/expat that has followed us since day one of living abroad.Happy listening! ---------We are here, too is a podcast about mental health and life abroad, hosted by Francesca Lo Verso, an Italian counsellor living in Scotland.We are here, too exists thanks to the support of friends, family and those of you whose testimony of life abroad inspired me. Thank you!Host and editor: Francesca Lo Versowww.francescacounselling.comIG: @francesca_ecosomaticsFB: francescaloversocounsellingEmail: info@francescacounselling.comCover illustration: Candela Sánchez www.candelasanchezart.comIG: @delasre_drawsMusic: Su SanTikTok: susanwithaspaceSpotify: Su San