A cultural history of mental health and the role of Franco Basaglia in Italy, 1960-2008. Pilot research and recce. (360G-Wellcome-089361_Z_09_Z)

The aim of this pilot research is to establish the presence and overall of archival and other material relating to mental health reform and the activities of Franco Basaglia in Italy in various Italian locations with a view to an extensive research project application to the Wellcome Trust in December 2009. 1. Overall project Using the research grant funds, a number of cities where large-scale mental health institutions were located, and were at the centre of reform efforts by doctors and activists influence by Franco Basaglia and others in the 1960s and 1970s will be visited. The aim will be to make contact with those who took part in the period of reform and change, and to make a survey of the presence of archival and other material (photographs, newspapers, official material, the structural state and contemporary use of the buildings, film material) with a view to a large-scale research project (application to be prepared for December 2009). These recces will make an overall assessment of the material available, its accessibility and lead to an assessment of the time and resources needed to collect and analyse the relevant material.