Title: What can Italy's Basaglia Law Teach Us? Findings and Policy Recommendations for American Psychiatric Institutional Reform
Department: Government
Description: This project will investigate the successes and shortcomings of the 1978 Italian Basaglia Law and apply the findings to an American context. The Basaglia Law phased out mental institutions over the span of twenty years and revolutionized the state of mental health care in Italy. Today, Italy focuses its efforts on running a community system of treating people with dignity and reintegrating them into society without stigma. The same is not true for America, where psychiatric institutionalization still holds significant power. The American system is notably problematic, and finding ways to improve it now would mean setting a higher standard of care for all Americans. Researching the efficacy of the two different approaches, the historical and political context of the era of Italian mental health reform, and potential cross-cultural application of Italian successes is significant because it offers an opportunity to make policy recommendations to benefit those thousands of Americans who suffer from severe mental illnesses.
Hometown: Elmhurst, Illinois
Advisor: Christopher Howard
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