About Me — Şeref Can Sarıkaya
About Me — Şeref Can Sarıkaya
My name is Şeref Can Sarıkaya. I was born on June 23, 1996, in Adana, Türkiye—a city not just of heat and flavor, but of identity, resilience, and cultural depth. This city laid the foundation for who I am today, shaping not only my thoughts and ideals but also my sense of social responsibility and intellectual curiosity.
After completing middle and high school in Adana, I took my first major step into academia in 2015, enrolling in the Department of Sociology at Çankırı Karatekin University. But my university experience was never limited to lectures and textbooks. It was a time of discovery, activism, and responsibility. I was elected President of the Disabled Students’ Council at my university and served for two and a half years. That role taught me that awareness isn’t just about empathy—it’s about action.
In 2018, I was invited as a speaker at the World Mental Health Day Seminar organized by the Faculty of Health Sciences. That talk opened the door to many more invitations across faculties and universities. I began speaking to students about mental health, self-awareness, and the sociological dimensions of healing. These talks weren’t just academic—they were deeply personal, real, and transformative.
Throughout my studies, I didn’t just rely on theory—I dove into the field, the community, the people. I delivered lectures at national youth congresses, including “The Mental Health of Our Nation” at Necmettin Erbakan University, “The Social Transformation of Madness” at Batman University, and “The Resonance of Souls” at Bartın University. Each speech was a reflection not only of academic analysis but of inner convictions and social activism.
I also worked in journalism and wrote hundreds of free-form aphorisms and poems—my words born not just from thought, but from feeling. I believe writing has a rehabilitative power. That’s why I don’t just write to inform—I write to heal.
A Journey Devoted to Community Mental Health
I don’t define myself solely as a sociologist. I see myself as a voice for the unheard in this country—a social volunteer and advocate. I wrote the world’s first and only “Community Mental Health Manifesto,” not as an academic document, but as a call for healing, justice, and societal awareness.
My other works include:
The Biosociological Model (2017)
The Sociological Model of the Soul (2019)
Cognitive Rehabilitation (2022)
The Right to Life Manifesto (2023)
Each work is a cornerstone in building a new approach to public mental wellness.
As the founder and president of TRST (Community Mental Health Society), I’ve led projects aimed at empowering individuals and communities. For over 8 years, I’ve acted as the spokesperson for individuals with mental disabilities, bringing their invisible struggles into the light. I’ve actively advocated for the inclusion of sociologists in Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) in Türkiye—a mission I’ve pursued both personally and institutionally.
The Voice of Social Rehabilitation
My belief is simple yet powerful:
If a person is understood, they can be healed. And if a person heals, society transforms.
Driven by this belief, I’ve worked on multiple projects related to personal transformation and social rehabilitation. I helped design local government-supported academic coaching systems, especially for disadvantaged youth. I’ve contributed to TUBITAK projects, city-level youth mentorships, and disability support programs.
I strive to bring social sciences into everyday life—because knowledge that doesn’t reach the people is nothing more than a well-decorated room no one ever enters. I write, speak, and act not only to inform but to connect. Social rehabilitation must be practical, emotional, and accessible.
Returning to Nature and Traditional Wisdom
Science is not confined to laboratories or academic halls—it breathes in nature, culture, and daily life. I’ve conducted studies and content development in areas such as:
Botanical healing
Ibn Sina’s medical philosophy
Natural massage tools
Relaxation techniques based on the golden ratio and neuromuscular structure
I seek harmony between mind, body, and tradition. I believe that ancient wisdom, when aligned with modern science, creates the most holistic healing systems. Even when I cook, I observe life. For example, when I prepare rice, I care if the corn stays crisp—not just for taste, but because food itself speaks to our relationship with nature and care.
So Who Am I?
I am Şeref Can Sarıkaya.
A thinker.
A voice for the voiceless.
A life coach for youth.
A writer with purpose.
A bridge between pain and possibility.
I have spent years observing society, listening to silent hearts, and creating systems that merge intellect with compassion. I don’t just want to be remembered by my name—but by the lives I’ve touched.
If I were to define myself in one word, it would be:
Rehabilitator.
Because I believe healing is the greatest form of revolution.
In a world where everyone carries invisible wounds, I strive to become a voice of recovery—for the individual and for the whole.