Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42159995›Full record

ArticleJournal of psychiatric and mental health nursing2026

Free the Crazy Horse: Franco Basaglia's Revolution in Mental Health and in Society Franco Basaglia and the Treatment of People With Mental Disorders.

Davide Orsini, Francesco Brigo, Alessio Zizzi, Paolo Peloso, Mariano Martini

Abstract readHistorical Article
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Davide OrsiniUniversity Museum System of Siena, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Francesco BrigoHospital of Merano (SABES-ASDAA), Merano, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-0928-1577
Alessio ZizziDepartment of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal-Infant Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.ORCID 0009-0004-5772-6731
Paolo PelosoMental Health Department, ASL Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Mariano MartiniDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFranco Basaglia was a central figure in the Italian psychiatric reform of the 20th century, whose work radically challenged the institutional and biomedical foundations of psychiatry. His thought, rooted in phenomenology and existentialism, redefined the meaning of mental illness and the role of the psychiatrist within society.

aimThis paper aims to explore the revolutionary contributions of Basaglia to psychiatry and mental health care, emphasizing the socio-political, ethical, and philosophical dimensions of his approach. APPROACH: Through a historical and theoretical analysis, the article examines Basaglia's critique of psychiatric institutions, his redefinition of the concept of the person in care, and the political implications of his reformist project leading to Law 180 (1978). The discussion integrates philosophical sources and socio-political contexts to elucidate his notion of psychiatry as a "practice of freedom." MAIN ARGUMENTS: Basaglia's thought transcended the clinical field, presenting psychiatry as an instrument of social change. By challenging exclusion and advocating for patients' rights and dignity, he aligned psychiatric reform with broader struggles for democracy and social justice. The paper highlights both the transformative potential and the later institutional neutralization of his legacy.

conclusionsBasaglia's vision remains profoundly relevant to contemporary debates on mental health, citizenship, and care ethics. Revisiting his work invites a rethinking of mental health care as a practice grounded in inclusion, human rights, and the recognition of subjectivity.

Indexed as

Health Care ReformMental DisordersMental Health ServicesPsychiatryHistory, 20th CenturyHumansItalyPsychiatristsFranco Basagliahistory of psychiatryItalian healthcaremental disordersmental hospitals

Identifiers

PMID42159995
PMCPMC13341023

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