Graphic Novel 'Perchè sei qui?' Explores Youth Mental Health Through Six Stories
Psychologist Francesca Picozzi and illustrator Greta Xella have released the graphic novel 'Perchè sei qui?' (Tunuè, 2024), which addresses young people's approach to mental health care. The book presents six stories featuring characters aged 17–26 dealing with panic, eating disorders, sexuality, self-harm, and anxiety about the future. A final autobiographical story depicts Picozzi's own therapy session with Freud, symbolically ending her therapeutic journey. The project originated during the Covid-19 lockdown when Picozzi began using social media to reach adolescents with psychological support. The novel aims to dismantle clichés and stereotypes about therapy, emphasizing that it can be finite and effective.
Key facts
- Graphic novel 'Perchè sei qui?' published by Tunuè in 2024
- Written by psychologist Francesca Picozzi and illustrated by Greta Xella
- Contains six stories: Cael (17, panic), Noemi (26, eating disorder), Teo (17, sexuality), Mirea (19, self-harm), Cesare (24, anxiety about future), and Francesca's own therapy with Freud
- Project began during Covid-19 lockdown when Picozzi used social media to reach young people
- Aims to reduce stigma around psychological therapy
- Uses simple images, warm colors, and accessible language for pre-adolescent/adolescent readers
- Final story symbolically ends with Picozzi's therapy termination
- Published on Artspecialday on May 27, 2026
Entities
Artists
- Francesca Picozzi
- Greta Xella
- Freud
Institutions
- Tunuè
- Artspecialday