Franco Basaglia at 100: Human Rights and the Transformation of Psychiatry

Franco Basaglia's centenary, celebrated on March 11, 2024, invites reflection on the historical significance of his legacy. His work in defense of people with mental disorders represents his fight for the protection of human dignity and the value of life. Pejoratively called “the philosopher Basaglia,” he transformed psychiatric practices by pushing the boundaries of medicine to address profound human rights issues. Basaglia adopted an existential-analytical stance that underpinned his commitment to psychiatric reform and the management of mental health practice, inspiring changes in public policies around the world. This commemorative editorial presents a historical overview of Franco Basaglia's contributions to psychiatric reform and their implications for mental health care.