Datum
24. August – 26. August 2026
Seminar Series of the RHEAL project
Seminar Series of the RHEAL project first in Brazil „Interdisciplinary Dialogues on Mental Health: Paths of Cooperation between Anthropology, Psychology, and Spirituality”
State University of Rio de Janeiro
Campus of the Faculdade de Formação de Professores of São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro
The event is an activity RHEAL – Religion and Healing: Collaborative and Participatory Methodologies, funded by the European Union through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchanges programme and led by Prof. Emily Pierini at the University of Rome „La Sapienza”, with the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) as a partner institution in the project.
RHEAL investigates and develops interdisciplinary and participatory methodologies to bring together different ways of understanding, experiencing, and promoting mental health, particularly in the context of trance and spiritual mediumship.
The seminars will be in Portuguese only, and online participation will be possible by registering at this link: https://forms.gle/5JUhNrQpwjc5yWTv6
Interdisciplinary Dialogues on Mental Health: Paths of Cooperation between Anthropology, Psychology, and Spirituality
Organisation: Giovanna Capponi (State University of Rio de Janeiro) and Eleonora Di Renzo (University of Rome „La Sapienza”)
In August, Afro-Brazilian religious traditions celebrate Omolu, the orixá (Afro-Brazilian deity) associated with healing, the earth, and profound transformation. It is in this spirit of transformation and care that we invite you to join us for a cycle of seminars dedicated to dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the creation of collaborative approaches to mental health.
Bringing together anthropologists, psychologists, historians, professionals working in contexts of social vulnerability and community projects, terreiro leaders, artists, spiritual mediums, and people with lived experiences of psychiatric and psychological distress, the cycle aims to foster dialogue across different fields and forms of expertise. We seek to build bridges between academia, biomedicine, art, spirituality, and popular and traditional practices of care.
Programme
24 August (Monday) | 2:00–4:00 PM
FFP/UERJ – Block C Auditorium
Caring for Oneself Means Caring for a Whole: Traditional Knowledge, the Environment, and Mental Health
With Giovanna Capponi (UERJ), Rodrigo Carneiro (ITS), Valrei Herson Hebster (UFRJ), and Valrei Lima (psychologist and Candomblé priest)
25 August (Tuesday) | 2:00–4:00 PM
FFP/UERJ – NUPEC Auditorium
Religiosity and Mental Health: Dialogues and perspectives
With Everton Maraldi (USP) and Marta Helena de Freitas (UCB)
26 August (Wednesday) | 2:00–4:00 PM
FFP/UERJ – NUPEC Auditorium
Sharing Circle: Art, Spirituality, and Mental Health
With Eleonora Di Renzo (Sapienza Università di Roma), Fabio Costa (Onikójá), Elisabeth Salles, Stephanie Lima Villar, Jéssica Cândido (CECCCOZ), and Uyara Soares
Participation is available in person and online. The Zoom link will be provided after registration and completion of the informed consent form: