We are here, too - on mental health abroad

Francesca Lo Verso

Welcome to "We are here, too," an insightful podcast exploring the ebbs and flows of life abroad and its profound impact on mental health. Join me, a counsellor with two decades of experience outside my homeland, Italy, and a background in counselling and psychotherapy, as I share stories of life abroad. Whether you consider yourself a migrant, an expatriate, a foreigner, a digital nomad or a wandering soul, embark on a journey of self-discovery while gaining valuable insights into the everyday struggles faced by those who have chosen to build their lives in foreign lands. Don't forget to subscribe and share if you find it engaging. Thank you for tuning!

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Top 10 We are here, too - on mental health abroad Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best We are here, too - on mental health abroad episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to We are here, too - on mental health abroad for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite We are here, too - on mental health abroad episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

S1E1: Migration and mental health: a journey of hope, overcoming and connection

We are here, too - on mental health abroad

03/01/23 • 13 min

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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.

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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 Verso
www.francescacounselling.com
IG: @francesca_counselling
FB: francescaloversocounselling
Email: [email protected]
Cover illustration: Candela Sánchez
www.candelasanchezart.comIG: @delasre_draws
Music: Su San
TikTok: susanwithaspace
Spotify: Su San

S1E9: Embracing failure: navigating emotional hurdles and cultivating resilience abroad

We are here, too - on mental health abroad

05/02/23 • 13 min

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Imagine packing your bags, leaving home, and settling in a foreign land. A thrilling adventure, isn't it? But what happens when the excitement fades and is replaced with a feeling of failure, disappointment and a crisis of identity? I'm your host Francesca, an Italian living in Scotland, and today, I'm opening up about my rollercoaster journey of self-discovery and mental health abroad in the past two decades. An adventure that's seen its fair share of ups and downs, and taught me critical life lessons about grounding myself in the face of adversity and finding my space in a new land.
Failure is a tricky emotion, and it gets trickier when you're living thousands of miles away from home. In today's heartfelt conversation, I explore how deep-rooted feelings of failure are not necessarily a reflection of your abilities but often a result of complex factors like language barriers, cultural shock, and the lack of emotional support. Tune in as I share my personal strategies to cope with these emotions, and how I focus on my strengths to navigate through challenging times. I also invite you to share your own experiences and coping mechanisms. So, let's begin this journey together, because no matter where we are in the world, we're never truly alone.

Trailer - Season 2: The holiday experience

We are here, too - on mental health abroad

07/11/23 • 1 min

Welcome to a new season of "We are here, too - on mental health abroad", where we will delve deeper into our experience of holidaying when living abroad
Launch date: Tuesday 18th July 2023
Stay tuned!

S1E6: Exploring and negotiating boundaries when living abroad

We are here, too - on mental health abroad

03/28/23 • 11 min

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Have you ever thought about the crucial role boundaries play in shaping our interactions with the world? I'm Francesca, an Italian living in Scotland, here to guide you through a fascinating discussion on the complexities of boundaries - both personal and cultural, and their impact on our mental health when living abroad. We'll explore how boundaries serve as guides, limits, and a way of asserting ourselves, especially when navigating new cultures and circumstances.
Drawing from my personal experiences and stories, like the culture shock of adapting to different public transport etiquettes in Italy and Scotland, we'll delve into the idea of boundaries as negotiators of adaption and control in unfamiliar environments. We'll learn to listen to our body and mind, using boundaries to ensure safety and fulfill emotional needs, while also understanding their role in giving us room to breathe, expanding our empathy, and building relationships in our new country. So get ready for a captivating journey of self-discovery!
If you want to read more about it, you can check out my blog post about boundaries when living abroad.

S3E4: In search of home through folklore

We are here, too - on mental health abroad

04/09/24 • 15 min

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Have you ever pondered where you truly belong? This week, I invite you on a heartfelt exploration of 'home' and belonging as we unravel how our sense of place shapes our mental landscape. We will venture through Scottish (and Northern European) folklore, where personal tales of finding comfort in the unfamiliar intertwine with the collective experiences of those who've ventured far from their birthplaces. We delve into the notion that 'home' transcends mere geography, morphing into the relationships we cherish or the inner sanctuary we cultivate.
This episode mentions:
- the tale of the Seal-Woman (known as Selkie, here in Scotland)
- the book "Women who run with the wolf" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
In this episode, we also draw parallels with the poignant folktale of the Selkie—a seal woman caught between two worlds. As we traverse her story, themes of societal expectation, identity, and the courage to reclaim one's intuitive self emerge, echoing many women's struggles. Selkie's tale becomes a powerful metaphor, not just for women but for anyone wrestling with the duality of where they are and where they feel they should be. So, come along and find companionship in our shared search for the places and spaces where we feel most at home.

S3E6: Loneliness abroad

We are here, too - on mental health abroad

04/23/24 • 28 min

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Ever found yourself in a foreign land, feeling the weight of solitude pressing down on you? My journey through the highs and lows of living abroad brought me face to face with the challenges of cultural adjustments and finding a place of belonging. In our latest discussion, I share the realities of navigating loneliness and stress in a new country. With the aid of therapy and self-care, I've learned to combat these feelings and want to offer you the same sense of hope and connection I've found. Whether it's the emotional toll of personal safety or the impact of social media on our lives, this episode peels back the layers of what it truly takes to maintain bonds with loved ones and cultivate new ones.
This conversation isn't just about sharing struggles; it's about equipping you with the tools to thrive amidst them. Grounding techniques, such as naming objects around you or holding something heavy, can be incredibly effective reminders that you're safe and present. You'll come away with practical strategies to ground yourself in the now, the importance of self-care, and how to open yourself up to the possibility of connection, wherever you may be.

S1E4: Why am I feeling this guilty?

We are here, too - on mental health abroad

03/14/23 • 11 min

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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

S2E6: "No, I'm not going home for the holidays": a journey to self-acceptance

We are here, too - on mental health abroad

08/22/23 • 14 min

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Ever sat alone in a foreign place during the holiday season, wrestling with the decision of whether to go home or not? You're not alone. Join me as I bare my soul and share my own rollercoaster of emotions - the initial fear, the white lie to protect my joy, the dread, and the eventual acceptance - that came with my decision to stay abroad during the holidays.
In this personal journey, I unpack the feelings and tough conversations that followed my choice - conversations that tested the bonds of family traditions and expectations. But it's not all gloom. You'll hear how I've evolved from those moments, learning to communicate my truth with compassion, understanding my needs, and ultimately finding a sense of calm and ownership over my life. So plug in, let's traverse these emotional landscapes together, and perhaps, you may find your own path to peace, autonomy, and reconciliation, too.

S2E7: Seven signs you are experiencing reverse culture shock

We are here, too - on mental health abroad

09/19/23 • 21 min

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Going on holidays to your home country or returning home after living abroad can feel like stepping into a parallel universe. As your host, Francesca, I reveal how I navigated my own journey through this disorienting maze in an episode dedicated to the fascinating subject of reverse culture shock. With the backdrop of an Italian native living in Scotland, I take you through my personal experiences of readjusting to life in a familiar place that somehow feels unfamiliar. Together, we'll explore the emotional turbulence, social challenges, and cultural puzzles that come with this complex experience.
But rest assured, there's light at the end of this maze, and I share actionable tips on how to work through reverse culture shock in the least traumatic way possible. No, it's not about racing through, but rather taking it slow, and integrating habits and customs from your host culture into your newfound reality. We'll delve into how to manage the struggles and conundrums of reverse culture shock, underscoring the importance of understanding that each individual's experience and circumstances are unique. Have you lived abroad and now find yourself back home, feeling like a stranger? This episode is your guide to making the transition as smooth as possible.

S1E3: Lost and found, in search of self

We are here, too - on mental health abroad

03/07/23 • 11 min

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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

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FAQ

How many episodes does We are here, too - on mental health abroad have?

We are here, too - on mental health abroad currently has 29 episodes available.

What topics does We are here, too - on mental health abroad cover?

The podcast is about Expat, Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Podcasts, Self-Improvement and Education.

What is the most popular episode on We are here, too - on mental health abroad?

The episode title 'S1E1: Migration and mental health: a journey of hope, overcoming and connection' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on We are here, too - on mental health abroad?

The average episode length on We are here, too - on mental health abroad is 15 minutes.

How often are episodes of We are here, too - on mental health abroad released?

Episodes of We are here, too - on mental health abroad are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of We are here, too - on mental health abroad?

The first episode of We are here, too - on mental health abroad was released on Feb 19, 2023.

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We are here, too - on mental health abroad

Francesca Lo Verso

Top 10 We are here, too - on mental health abroad Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does We are here, too - on mental health abroad have?

What topics does We are here, too - on mental health abroad cover?

What is the most popular episode on We are here, too - on mental health abroad?

What is the average episode length on We are here, too - on mental health abroad?

How often are episodes of We are here, too - on mental health abroad released?

When was the first episode of We are here, too - on mental health abroad?

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