King's College London

The Transitions project aims to transform the international history of psychiatric reform by examining the ethical and political specificity of psychiatric deinstitutionalization (PDI) policies in South America. While PDI has been widely promoted by institutions such as the World Health Organization as a core feature of modern mental health systems, mainstream narratives often neglect the regional dynamics, debates, and innovations that have shaped its implementation.

Focusing on Brazil and Chile, Transitions investigates how local psychiatric communities engaged with international movements for deinstitutionalization, how these reforms intersected with broader social and political transformations, and what ethical tensions remain in contemporary struggles for and against deinstitutionalization.

The project draws on historical, sociological, and anthropological methods and is structured around three interconnected work packages:

1. Analysis of historical debates, innovations, and reform visions.
2. Exploration of the transformation of PDI into a global policy model, with attention to the role of international organizations.
3. Examination of present-day controversies surrounding PDI, including legislation, coercion, and human rights.

Research methods include archival research, oral history interviews, and documentary analysis.

By centring Latin American experiences, Transitions contributes to a more inclusive global history of psychiatry, challenges unidirectional policy diffusion, and offers a platform for multidirectional learning between regions. The project will deliver academic publications, policy recommendations, and public engagement initiatives.