Heart Forward Conversations from the Heart
The American mental health system is broken beyond repair. Rather than trying to tweak a system which fails everyone, it is time to commit to a bold vision for a better way forward. This podcast explores the American system against the plumb line of an international best practice, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), in Trieste, Italy. The 40-year old Trieste model demonstrates how a community-based treatment system upholds the human rights of the people served. The Trieste story is anti-institutional and models the therapeutic value of social connection. Topics will address contemporary challenges in the American failed mental health system as contrasted with the Italian approach toward accoglienza – or radical hospitality – as the underpinning of their remarkable culture of caring for people. Interviews will touch upon how the guiding principles of the Italian system – social recovery, whole person care, system accountability, and the human right to a purposeful life – are non-negotiable aspects if we are to have any hope of forging a new way forward in our American mental health system. This podcast is curated and hosted by Kerry Morrison, founder and project director of Heart Forward LA (https://www.heartforwardla.org/). Heart Forward is collaborating with Aaron Stern at Verdugo Sound as the technical partner in producing this podcast (https://www.verdugosound.com). Kerry Morrison is also the author of the blog www.accoglienza.us.
Heart Forward Conversations from the Heart
The tragic intersection of mental illness with our criminal justice system. Making sense with Mark Gale.
Mark Gale’s credentials for this interview are unparalleled.
He serves as the Criminal Justice Chair of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Greater Los Angeles County. Mark also represents NAMI on the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Criminal Justice Mental Health Advisory Board, serves as a member of the Permanent Steering Committee of the Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR), the Alternatives to Incarceration Initiative (ATI), and the Men’s Central Jail Closure Workgroup in the pursuit of L.A. County’s Care First, Jail Last strategy. Additionally, he leads the NAMI Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) partnership with law enforcement in Los Angeles County.
In addition to his extensive volunteer and leadership work with NAMI, Mark was one of the four co-hosts/editors of the LPS Reform Rask Force II. This was a four year-long effort to identify important recommendations to reforming our LPS mental health statutes and protocols that were detailed in the report entitled “Separate and Not Equal.”
He is also father of a son with a serious mental illness.
Reports, articles and resources referenced in this interview:
Front page article in L.A. Times on day of interview
'You can't get out': Mentally ill languish in California jails without trial or treatment (msn.com)
October 2021 JFA Institute Report on COVID-19 and Reduced Jail Population Cost Savings Estimate, Men’s Central Jail Closure Fiscal Analysis, and Closure Population Projections
Excellent book, Crazy by Pete Earley.
Article about the new LA County USC Restorative Villages and the individual IMD buildings.
Council of State Governments Stepping Up Initiative
Podcast references in this interview:
Interview with Jackie Lacey re/ the Blueprint for Change in L.A. County.
Interview with Alex Briscoe re/ the complicated public mental health funding paradigm
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