May 12 – On 13 May 1978 Italy approved Law 180 to shut down insane asylums; on May 18, 1987, the anti-asylum movement was born in Brazil as part of the broader process of democratization of civil society after the end of the dictatorship. These milestones will be celebrated during the international meeting, to be held in Umbria, of the mental health services of ASL 1 and ASL 2 in the region and Brazilian health workers from Sao Paulo State. The exchange will include three public events (today, May 19 and May 20). The initiative is part of the research cooperation and cultural exchange program “Policies, citizenship and mental health community networks” between the Umbria Region and the municipalities of São Carlos, Araraquara and others in the State of São Paulo. The project was born from an initiative of the Philosophy, Social Sciences, Humanities and Training Department of the University of Perugia. The program, funded and supported by the Umbria Region and the University of Perugia, has the goal of studying and “activate in practice” innovative strategies for mental health with wider social participation.
