Published in Nicaragua by the Instituto Historic Centroamericano, Envio discusses developments during the Nicaraguan War, a Cold War conflict between the US- backed Contras and the Sandinista National Liberation Front.

The magazine discusses the economic embargo placed on Nicaragua by the USA, which precipitated an economic crisis, destabilising society and undermining the government.

Envio also addresses topics present in Nicaraguan society. For example, this issue contains a fascinating article on changing attitudes to mental health. Following the Sandinista Revolution in 1979, the government introduced agrarian reform, literacy campaigns and healthcare improvements, including mental healthcare.

Moving away from the mental healthcare of the early twentieth century that was based in isolated asylums and often featured cruel and inhumane treatment of patients, the new system wanted to integrate those who were ill into the community and follow up to date psychiatric research that advocated for group and family therapy.

The Commonweal Collection includes around 100 copies of Envio published between 1983 and 1997. Other materials in the Collection about Central & South American Freedom Struggle (Fs) can be found on the catalogue here.

Josie Mulligan (Commonweal volunteer).

A full list of over 1,700 magazines, newsletters, bulletins and journals that are in the Collection can be found here.