One flew over a gentry's nest

Căpâlnaș Psychiatric Hospital is housed by the Mocioni-Teleki Castle, built between 1876-1879, in Căpâlnaș, Romania . In 1948 the castle was nationalized by the comunist regime, confiscated from their owners, The Mocioni family, and later became a psychiatric hospital. 2024 will be the last year for the psychiatric hospital to function in the castle, the estate being restituted to Mocioni family's descendents and the hospital will be relocated to a new, modern building. This state run hospital has 70 beds for chronic psychiatric patients with various mental health problems: schizofrenia, depression, personality disorders, dementia, bipolar disorder, etc. From 2019 I work as a clinical psychologist at this hospital and this photographic project offers me a good opportunity to try and change some stereotypes Romanian society still has about people with mental health problems, who are often perceived as dangerous people, that should be kept locked away. I also think this project has some therapeutic value for the patients helping them to reduce the level of anxiety, to explore their feelings and to improve their confidence and self-esteem.