[Understanding Change Helps Conceptualise Current Action: History of Mental Health Reform in Great Britain and Italy].

Mental health reform processes in Great Britain and Italy have been discussed. Recent publications permit a comparative reflection. In England, the reform started earlier and ran continuously, with its focus changing from deinstitutionalisation and community care to (also) user involvement, managerialism, evidence-based medicine, guidelines and budget cuts. Government policies can be identified. In Italy, the reform process started later and was more disruptive. It was influenced by Basaglia und the political-historical context. The reform process has been continuous, deficits are discussed, it has stood the test of time. Similarities and differences (GB vs I) are highlighted, a social history framework is proposed to understand mental health reform processes as one aspect of societal development. This research process could help identify and shape alliances for further reforms of mental health care.