An adventure in the insane asylum: the life of Franco Basaglia

Abstract

The process of change in the mental health field and psychiatric reforms bear a close relationship to practical and theoretical issues stemming from Franco Basaglia's experience. This article is intended as a reflection on Basaglia's career, stressing the main concepts and theoretical references he worked with and seeking to trace the unique nature of his contributions to the current project for de-institutionalizing psychiatry. Basaglia produces a break by profoundly challenging psychiatric knowledge and institutions, thus allowing for a new epistemological framework (a framework that was thus also new in relation to culture and mental health care) in dealing with insanity. Based on the observation that Basaglia's work is little known, this article attempts to revisit his thinking, highlighting the unique nature of his contributions and stressing the need for a better understanding of his work by those who are devoted to the field of mental health and social institutions.