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
Season Two Trailer
We ended Season One as the pandemic held its grip on our country in the middle of December. Now, a little over four months later, the sun is shining more brightly. There is a vaccine. The scary Covid surge has abated and we have a functioning government that is making public health, returning to school and jumpstarting the economy a priority.
So, I am ready to return to our conversations. The theme remains the same. The American mental health system is broken and voices for change will be featured each week. We are inspired by the global best practice in Trieste, Italy.
We are going to explore more provocative topics this season: old-fashioned social work, California's Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, the world-view of Dr. Franco Basaglia, how the CAHOOTS mobile crisis response model really works and how it can be adapted to local jurisdictions, how do human rights apply to the treatment of people with mental illness in American society and more.
First episode airs on April 30, 2021.
To support this podcast:
Heart Forward LA - Main Giving Page (networkforgood.com)
This podcast is produced in collaboration with Peer Mental Health.