New hospital uses culture to care

A HOSPITAL has been opened in Marseille to offer a “cultural” approach to caring for teenagers with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

At the new Espace Méditerranéen de l’Adolescence, around 50 young people use facilities like an art workshop, a library of books and DVDs, a dance studio and a fitness room. Activities include learning circus skills or African dance.This is combined with more traditional help, such as psychotherapy and diet advice. One of the doctors, Sophie Campredon, said: “Getting a teenager to talk about their inner lives is a real challenge, so the activities are really important, to help them gain confidence and open up.”

The facilities are in a 800m2 space in the former operating block of the Salvator Hospital. It is inspired by the Maison de Solenn in Paris and is partfunded by Bernadette Chirac’s Fondation Hôpitaux de Paris - Hôpitaux de France. Its staff includes psychiatrists, psychologists, dieticians and occupational therapists.