“ With the radio, something was liberated within me.«" : in a small, cozy room, patients from the psychiatric ward of the Niort hospital bring to life "Radio Pinpon", an atypical tool now fully integrated into the care program.
“ I have my vulnerabilities. And vulnerability is frightening. But often, the only violence is directed against us.«,” breathes Nathalie Micou, with a shaved head and small gold glasses.
Having suffered from aphasia for years following a series of traumas, she now willingly lends her voice to talk about disability and mental illness on the microphone of Radio Pinpon, created in 2018 by a now retired nurse.
Nestled in a building at the heart of the various psychiatric services, the small, windowless studio, its walls covered with posters of festivals or singers, is a "« cocoon »"for many patients.".
Around twenty people contribute articles, poems, interviews, and even broadcasts to the site.« a little crazy«", in their words.
“ In my life, there's clearly a before and an after. Therapy didn't give me all the answers. With radio, something was released inside me. And I realized I didn't need to self-harm to be heard.«" explains Ms. Micou, 53 years old.
Including his family who have "« finally listened to" , " Recognition after years of estrangement“.
«"Destigmatizing" madness
At the helm of this atypical web radio, without a precise program schedule, are Thomas Gerbaud, 52, and Charlotte Hill, 60, nurses employed full-time in music therapy.
Their care involves a choir, a music group and the radio, to which they dedicate a day and a half per week.
“ We see patients based on medical referrals. Here, there's no obligation to produce anything; if some patients make a show but don't want it broadcast, that's fine, as long as it makes them feel better.«" explains Mr. Gerbaud.
This sound space allows patients to change their perception of themselves, but also their view of psychiatry, often considered as "« hermetic«" , the nurse with laughing eyes remarked.
“ If we can change the image of psychiatry even a little, by destigmatizing 'madness', that's a bonus!«,” agrees Ms. Hill.
With headphones on, the nurse welcomes Thierry, a 57-year-old former archivist, who is wrapping up a series on experimental music.
“ I like the evanescent sounds.«", whispers the man with the grey beard, for whom the radio is one less way "« to dwell on myself“.
When the recording begins, her voice changes, becoming deeper and more confident.
«"Valuable tools"»
Read alsoIle-de-France: "Serious dysfunctions" in psychiatric emergency services
“ Radio allows patients to refocus; it anchors them in their bodies.«" notes Charlotte Hill.
With his machine-gun delivery, Nathan Sureau, a 29-year-old streamer followed for about ten years, settles into the studio, which is overflowing with CDs and vinyl records.
“ I've been diagnosed with a form of schizophrenia. I'm not ashamed to say it; it's important to talk about it to raise awareness and dismantle the misconceptions people have about it.«" he says.
This rap fan found solace among the nurses accompanying him« golden people«", and behind the microphone, "« an infinite number of possibilities for expression without any judgment“.
He set to music, using AI, a song in which he asks himself "« why did my brain break?" . " I'm a bit crazy, with the good side of things, and the bad side too!, he laughs.
Mrs. Hill and Mr. Gerbaud say "« measure (their) chance »"to have the support of management, when the public hospital in general and the psychiatric sector in particular are in great distress.
On September 17, public psychiatric unions held a national strike to denounce, in particular, the lack of resources and staff shortages, despite mental health having been established as a "« major national cause“.
“ We don't know what the future holds, and we know our positions aren't the ones that are being prioritized for future job security. But our tools are invaluable to patients, and that's priceless.«", the two nurses believe.
English 
French