Experiencing Service Learning with a Public Mental Health Service in Tuscany

Our Service Learning project was based on the studies about Service Learning (EUROPE ENGAGE, 2014), which identify it as an experience linking academic learning to civic engagement in a local community, and whose core values are trust, mutuality, interdependence, partnerships and co-creation of knowledge. The research in this topic (Baldwin, Buchanan, & Rudisill, 2007; McIlrath, 2012; Yorio, & Ye, 2012) highlights the positive outcomes both in the relationship between universities and local communities and the promotion of students' skills. The presented experience took place in the University of Florence, and has been undertaken experimentally during the first semester of academic year 2015/2016, in collaboration with a Public Mental Health in Florence Area. Ten students of the Master Degree in Psychology of the Life cycle and Contexts have been involved.