Shimon Katz (Sup. Prof. David Roe, Dr. Hadas Goldblatt),
Shimon23@yahoo.com

Background

Shimon completed a B.A. in psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and three years of classical piano studies at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, before receiving a Master’s in Social Work with honors from the University of Haifa. Studying in the clinical-trauma track, his thesis highlighted the life stories of Palestinians who had been involved in violent actions against Israelis and later made radical transformations towards peace and dialogue. Shimon has worked as a counselor in psychiatric hospitals, as well as with at-risk youth andfamilies in crisis. Recently, he served as director and case manager for an assisted living program for individuals recovering from mental illness, as well as regional coordinator of consumer-provider program.

Current research

Moving Away From Mental Health Services as a Process of Rebuilding a Life outside the Illness

This study aims to examine from a phenomenological stand point the phenomena of disengagement from mental health services (public and private) by individuals diagnosed with Severe Mental Illness (SMI), who were hospitalized and received psychiatric treatment. The current study will attempt to fill- in a theoretical void by highlighting the interaction and the dialogue between individuals who have disengaged and the mental health system that had treated them. The study will allow an in-depth view on the psychological, social and life circumstances, as well highlight alternatives that lead to the rebuilding of a life outside the illness. The study will address theoretical questions such as psychiatric diagnosis- the process in which it is given and it’s subjective validity, pharmacological treatment and coming off medication, and the possibility of not just living with a mental illness but actually fully healing from it.

Interests

Disengagement, Recovery Narratives, Stigma, Non-Adherence, Healing, Psychiatric Alternatives, Survivor’s Movement