Franco Basaglia

Italian psychiatrist and reformer

Franco Basaglia in 1979

Franco Basaglia (11 March 1924 – 29 August 1980) was an Italian psychiatrist and neurologist who is widely credited as the father of the modern Italian mental health reform movement. He was a leading figure in the deinstitutionalization movement in Italy, which led to the passing of the "Basaglia Law" in 1978, effectively closing down all psychiatric hospitals in Italy and replacing them with community-based services.

Early life and education

Franco Basaglia was born in Venice, Italy, in 1924. He studied medicine at the University of Padua, where he graduated in 1949. During his time at university, Basaglia became interested in psychiatry and began to question the prevailing methods of treatment for mental illness, which often involved long-term hospitalization and isolation from society.

Career

After completing his studies, Basaglia worked in various psychiatric hospitals across Italy. He became increasingly critical of the conditions and treatment methods he observed, which he believed dehumanized patients and failed to address their needs. In 1961, he was appointed director of the psychiatric hospital in Gorizia, where he began implementing radical changes.

Gorizia and the therapeutic community

At Gorizia, Basaglia introduced the concept of the "therapeutic community," where patients were encouraged to participate in the management of the hospital and in their own treatment. This approach was based on the belief that mental illness should be treated with dignity and respect, and that patients should be integrated into society rather than isolated from it.

Trieste and the Basaglia Law

In 1971, Basaglia moved to Trieste, where he continued his work on mental health reform. His efforts culminated in the passing of Law 180 in 1978, commonly known as the "Basaglia Law." This law mandated the closure of all psychiatric hospitals in Italy and the establishment of community-based mental health services. The law was a landmark in the history of psychiatry and inspired similar reforms in other countries.

Philosophy and impact

Basaglia's philosophy was rooted in the belief that mental health care should be based on human rights and social justice. He argued that psychiatric institutions were a form of social control and that mental illness should be understood in the context of the individual's social environment. His work has had a lasting impact on the field of psychiatry and has influenced mental health policies worldwide.

Death and legacy

Franco Basaglia died in 1980, but his legacy lives on through the continued implementation of community-based mental health services in Italy and beyond. His work has been recognized as a major contribution to the field of psychiatry and has inspired ongoing debates about the best ways to support individuals with mental health issues.

Related pages

• Deinstitutionalization
• Psychiatry
• Mental health
• Community mental health service