There were two Benjamin's from Philadelphia at the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Franklin, of course, but also Dr. Benjamin Rush.

In a packed career, he'd crossed the Delaware with George Washington as a battlefield surgeon

and went on to be treasurer of the U.S. Mint.

But his greatest contribution was perhaps to the field of psychiatry.

In 1812, he published medical inquiries and observations upon the diseases of the mind,

the first American textbook on the topic.

This founding father is also known as the Father of American Psychiatry.

I'm John Prado and this is Chex and Balance from the Economist.

Each week we take one big theme, shaping American politics and explore it in depth.

Today, what's the best way to treat severe mental illness?

California is overhauling its mental health system.

A slate of reforms signed into law there last week exemplify two broad shifts in mental

health care in America.

The building of more beds, the patient's suffering from mental illness, and an expansion

of involuntary treatment.

What can California tell us about the best way to treat mental illness?

Is more involuntary treatment part of the solution?

With me this week to discuss some big changes underway in how states attempt to help their

citizens who have mental health illnesses are Charlotte Howard in New York and Idris Calune

in Washington, DC.

Guys, I'm a little bit croaky this week as I'm sure you can hear.

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