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
Peer support to help "jump start" young people into independent life: A conversation with Michele Sipala of Recovery House
Michele Sipala is a peer support worker at Recovery House, located in the heart of the city centre in Trieste. Recovery House provides a six-month transitional residential environment for six young people, age 18 – 35, to help give a “kick start” into more independent living. Recovery House was started in 2015 and over the past nine years, it has served 55 young people.
In this conversation, we discuss the unique needs of younger people in the mental health services in Trieste who are transitioning into the adult service sector – with changes to their clinical supports and all the stresses and challenges that can accompany an expectation of moving into adult life. He reiterates the three pillars of their mental health system: the importance of work, home and socialization.
Resources and publications mentioned in this conversation:
The Recovery House in Trieste: Rational, participants, intervention as the “work.” APA Psyc Net 2018
The Recovery House of Trieste. Journal of Recovery in Mental Health. 2018
Full article here.
Book that has had a great impact on Michele:
Tutto chiede salvezza (Italian)
Everything Calls for Salvation (English version)
And it is a Netflix series – with two seasons.