Factor J: Felicia Giagnotti, President, Progetto Itaca, an Italian “Civil Hero”
The President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, has conferred thirty Awards of Merit for the Italian Republic to citizens who have distinguished themselves for ethical entrepreneurship, for their commitment to prisoners, for solidarity, for volunteering, for activities in favour of social inclusion, legality, the right to health and for acts of heroism.
The President identified, "amongst the many examples present in civil society and institutions, significant cases of civil commitment, dedication to the common good, and testimony to republican values". Among the thirty "civil heroes," we discovered with great pleasure the name of Felicia Giagnotti, President of the Fondazione Progetto Itaca, an organization that has been part of the educational consortium of Factor J, a project promoted with Janssen Italia, since the first edition.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Quirinale Palace on March 24 at 11:30 am.
Here is the motivation for the selection of Felicia Giannotti:
Felicia Giagnotti, 73, Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic: "For having created a national network in favour of people suffering from mental health disorders by offering them the opportunity for reintegration into civil society"
The legal representative of the "Itaca Project Foundation," created in 1999, and of the "Itaca Lecce Project" Association, including 15 offices and 9 Itaca Clubs, Italy.
The "Itaca Project Foundation" has offices in Turin, Milan, Genoa, Padua, Rimini, Naples, Lecce, Lamezia Terme, and Palermo. The foundation has set up Itaca Clubs throughout the country where people being treated can meet to start a process of reintegration into civil society together. It promotes reception and listening projects, training, prevention, and rehabilitation for people with mental health disorders and their families.
“We believe that mental health disorders are treatable conditions and that every person affected by them deserves timely help, correct diagnosis, and effective treatment to lead a complete and fulfilling life, free from stigma and prejudice”.
Inspired by this certainty, the foundation aims to raise community awareness in order to overcome prejudice, train even the youngest in a correct, clear and exhaustive way about the onset of mental illnesses, encourage diagnosis and treatment, and provide listening, enhance skills, and share personal resources for social inclusion.
