The Recovery House of Trieste: Beginning a Recovery Journey in an Innovative Experience

The Trieste mental health care model is the result of a process of change that took place in Italy in the 1970s initiated by the psychiatrist Franco Basaglia. This change resulted in the closure of the psychiatric asylum and the creation of a network of 24- hour community-based services. To this day Trieste is regarded as an international reference in deinstitutionalization practice and is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Research and Training. To improve quality and good practice, the Trieste Mental Health Department is continually investing in innovative practices and strategies. One of the most recent examples has been the establishment of the Recovery House, a facility that fosters recovery processes and meaningful changes in the lives of young people who are already using mental health services. Objectives: This article explores the changes in the relationships of the group of young people who participated in the piloting of the Recovery House experience. Method: This qualitative study used participant observation of the daily meetings at the Recovery House and was considered to be the central component in ensuring co-production. Twelve people regularly participated in the meetings, including the six young people. The study took place over a period of about six months. The meetings were registered in the researcher's field diary and qualitatively analyzed. Results: The study provides insights into the group processes and dynamics, including the gradual sharing of experiences, stories, and coping strategies. Trusting relationships and dialogue were the centres of the experience, requiring particular attention to the determination of roles, the issue of power, and the use of language.