Anne Rappaport Berliner (New York Folklore)
Mental health work is embedded in the work of public folklorists. Subtly, in the comfort provided in an interview and explicitly in the services folklorists provide. Folklorists play the role of defacto therapist, social worker, or confidant and friend. I will discuss examples of each of these instances and attempt to determine where the boundaries of public folklore end, and where mental health work begins. Lastly, I will present attempted methods of support, their outcomes, and how to continue navigating issues while supporting tradition bearers.
Part of 04-04 Folklore and Mental Health, Friday, November 03, 8:30 am–10:00 am