Love this! "Away from hyper-focus on clinical diagnosis and assessment to really understanding the person; the need to change the power dynamic to create a reciprocal relationship; and the proactive inclusion of a third partner in the discussion of an individual’s needs (a family member, friend, etc.)." --> I wish we could reach a point of consensus in the U.S. about some of the elements that lead to successful outcomes, as outlined here!
Have you heard about OpenAI's deep research tool (here's an article from Nature published today that explores its impact in context: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00377-9) ? I wonder if there is a way to leverage a tool like this to synthesize learnings from a variety of sources into a meta analysis that could act as a starting point for cross-disciplinary discussions. Key would be to focus the scope of the output (which I imagine kinda like a DSM, but for TREATMENT instead of DIAGNOSIS), and gather inputs on something tangible, instead of starting some committee conversation that goes nowhere lol...
Europe has always been more progressive than North America on these matters. Being countries with smaller populations helps, but they are also good at making mental health central to overall health policies instead of treating is as an add-on.
Thanks for the post Ben and great that you shared Josh Seidman's experience. I know and respect you both. Not sure how you churn out these insights but keep them coming! Rob
As you know, consumers are primarily housed on a long-term basis in private prisons: neither consumers, criminals, or forensic psychiatric folks are getting what they need. I started in this biz in the late 80s and have watched the fallout from my clinical work with inpatients, outpatients, and IOP. The worst phrase in the world: "less intensive care." This is the signal that folks are being booted out. Thanks, Ben!
Love this! "Away from hyper-focus on clinical diagnosis and assessment to really understanding the person; the need to change the power dynamic to create a reciprocal relationship; and the proactive inclusion of a third partner in the discussion of an individual’s needs (a family member, friend, etc.)." --> I wish we could reach a point of consensus in the U.S. about some of the elements that lead to successful outcomes, as outlined here!
I do too! And a key question is who best to serve in that convening function? It seems that this is an important role to play for someone (and soon!).
Have you heard about OpenAI's deep research tool (here's an article from Nature published today that explores its impact in context: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00377-9) ? I wonder if there is a way to leverage a tool like this to synthesize learnings from a variety of sources into a meta analysis that could act as a starting point for cross-disciplinary discussions. Key would be to focus the scope of the output (which I imagine kinda like a DSM, but for TREATMENT instead of DIAGNOSIS), and gather inputs on something tangible, instead of starting some committee conversation that goes nowhere lol...
Europe has always been more progressive than North America on these matters. Being countries with smaller populations helps, but they are also good at making mental health central to overall health policies instead of treating is as an add-on.
Thanks for the post Ben and great that you shared Josh Seidman's experience. I know and respect you both. Not sure how you churn out these insights but keep them coming! Rob
As you know, consumers are primarily housed on a long-term basis in private prisons: neither consumers, criminals, or forensic psychiatric folks are getting what they need. I started in this biz in the late 80s and have watched the fallout from my clinical work with inpatients, outpatients, and IOP. The worst phrase in the world: "less intensive care." This is the signal that folks are being booted out. Thanks, Ben!