The Problem with the Solution

The 'Invisibilia' episode titled 'The Problem with the Solution' begins with the story of the Briggs family and their struggle with a seemingly trivial issue: hair clogging their shower drain. This mundane problem leads Gifford Briggs to invent the 'Drain Wig,' a simple solution that turns into a successful product. The narrative quickly shifts from this everyday problem-solving to a much deeper exploration of how we address mental illness in society. The episode juxtaposes the American penchant for finding solutions to every problem with the story of Ellen Baxter, who sought a more humane approach to mental illness after witnessing its effects on her mother and her sister's struggles.

Ellen discovers the town of Geel, Belgium, where for centuries, residents have been taking mentally ill people into their homes as boarders, integrating them into their families without trying to 'fix' them. This system contrasts sharply with the institutional approach to mental illness prevalent in the United States. Inspired, Ellen attempts to bring this model back to America but faces rejection from academic institutions. Instead, she founds Broadway Housing Communities in New York, providing subsidized housing where mentally ill tenants live alongside those without mental illness, fostering a community of acceptance and support.

The episode also delves into the personal story of the show's co-host, Lulu Miller, and her family's experience with her sister's mental illness. Lulu reflects on the painful realization that her family's efforts to 'cure' her sister may have been counterproductive. The episode concludes with Lulu's sister finding independence and a measure of peace after moving into her own place, surrounded by strangers who accept her as she is.