When it comes to mental health in Italy a sore point is always touched. Analyzing our society, it is evident how the topic is still a taboo. As much as the new generations struggle to “normalize” taking care of themselves, internally and physically, it is still a beautiful mountain to climb.
Added to this, however, is a much more serious problem: conditions of our national health system. The public is struggling and the private sector is treating mental health as a sort of vice for the rich. The latest fashion of the moment, with a average of 70-80 euros for four monthly sessions. A figure which in some contexts can drop to 60 eurosoften as long as you accept the balance in blackwith zero possibility of any tax relief, for those who are entitled to it.
A vice that tightens patients and potential patients. No one should have to choose between spending and their mental health and, at the same time, no one should undergo the type of treatment in many public centers, given the way they are structured.
Mental health, the Italian crisis
It certainly doesn’t come as anything new that the medical sector in Italy is in crisis. It is a well-known reality, which seems to push us in the direction of a hybrid version between our system and the US one. The private sector has more and more spaceeven in the public sector, and inflation pushes the costs borne by citizens skyrocketing.
However, as a country we tend to give priority to other health disorders, physical, obvious and visible ones. Mental health is important, of course, but it is too often only in theoretical terms.
There has been a lot of talk about it for years, as if it were an absolute novelty post-Covid, but the numbers are not improving. The situation is actually not concretely better than when all this was supposed to be a shame and going to therapy was equivalent to being crazy.
The National College of Mental Health Department Directors emphasizes the need for at least 2 billion euros more. Not a figure for a perfect system, let’s be clear. A sum to give decency to the sector, which requires at least one 30% more in terms of staff. We are therefore talking about 7,500 operators, to be clear.
The document speaks of this area as the “Cinderella of public health (…). A ghost in the work of the G7 Health”. In the face of growing psychological distress, the condition of this public sphere cannot even remain stationary. In fact, the data shows a worsening.
Mental health centers lack staff
Lack of funds and professionals, which translates into a general: we have the structures. An alarming condition, to say the least, in a country where, according to the 2024 Gallup Report, the 20% of employees report feeling lonely everyday.
A look aimed above all at young people under 35with higher percentages, equal to 22%. A figure that rises to 25% in the case of employees who they work completely remotely. The difference is evident compared to those who work on site, with 16% reporting this state of alert.
And these are just a few numbers relating to the world of work, which satisfies and makes Italians feel fulfilled in only 8% of cases. This should help us understand what the general picture is, which also includes those who do not work and those who do not study, those who do both and those who are only behind school desks. Not to mention those who are busy taking care of the house and any children.
Giuseppe Ducci he is the vice-president of the National College of Directors of Mental Health Departments, as well as director of the Department of ASL Roma 1. Here is his cry: “We ask that at least 5% of the National and Regional Health Fund be allocated to mental health. The share of spending on psychiatric care is currently decreasing on average to 2.5% of the Fund, equal to just over 3 and a half billion. This makes Italy last in Europe among high-income countries.
Mental health in the public, how it works
Italy struggles to follow subjects with proven psychiatric pathologies, as it could never guarantee in the public sector adequate support to those who intend to start a therapeutic path “only” to feel better about himself/herself?
It’s simply not possible, considering the presence of approximately 25,000 operators among psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and educators. This translates 55 for every 100 thousand inhabitants. Compared to what the standards implemented in the State-Regions Conference provide, we are below 30%. This percentage, if filled, would serve to reach an acceptable basic level, in some cases even good, certainly not excellent. This is to highlight how alarming the situation today is.
Today I am more than 16 million the Italians who complain about a medium-severe mental distress. It is clear that today there is a greater propensity towards openness in this aspect, but we always come up against the need to rely on the private sector.
This is also because in many realities the public sphere it is not only poorly financed and equipped, but also full of people who carry out their role as if it were that of a post office clerk.
Many find themselves ininability to follow a real pathbecause the reference medical figure varies. From time to time we find ourselves dealing with a different person, always starting from point 0 and being evaluated mainly on the basis of what is written on a sheet of paper.
THE mental health centers such as bank offices who evaluate the granting of a mortgage based on the numbers produced by a computer. How can all this be classified as psychological help? As mentioned, the private sector has a high cost, equal to a monthly rent, not to mention possible hospitalizations in more serious cases.
You can end up paying the same as in a hotel (200 euros per day is a figure found in different structures, ed.), and for a potential agreement, which translates into a net saving, it is necessary to go through the public, the same one to which in many refuse to rely (not to mention the ease with which some subjects, stressed by an unhealthy working condition, prescribe drugs with a notable impact after a single and brief fact-finding “visit”).
Going back to the numbers, the growth in people seeking help is equal to one +6% compared to 2022with women and young people at the top for anxiety and depression. This is what is highlighted by Unicusano’s analysis of the most common psychological difficulties in Italy:
- anxiety – 26% increase;
- depression – 28% increase;
- mood swings – 60% increase;
- insomnia – 59% increase;
- depressive symptoms – increase of 58.9%;
- panic attacks – 38% increase.
Psychologist bonus 2024
What is the intervention of Giorgia Meloni’s government regarding this emergency condition? THE funds made available they are decidedly limited and far from being sufficient to satisfy the many requests received. To tell the truth, however, one also wonders what type of support guarantees the guaranteed amount, if received.
They have arrived in 2024 400,505 requests to INPSin order to obtain the voucher made available by the executive, the famous Psychologist Bonus. The provision is entrusted to the institution, which proceeded to accommodate an incredibly low number compared to those who attempted to receive this help: 3,325.
A handful of people received 1 help.500 eurosin the presence of an ISEE of less than 15,000 euros, 1,000 euros in case of ISEE between 15 and 30 thousand euros, e 500 euros for an ISEE between 30 and 50 thousand euros.
All this in the face of one annual expense which generally goes come on 3,000 euros (60 euros per session) ai 4,000 eurosapproximately (80 euros per session). The number of requests accepted refers to 2023 but in 2024 the situation has not improved. We stand at around 10% of applications accepted, in a system that also includes an absurd race for the prize. To improve your chances, in fact, you need to have an excellent internet connection and time available, as well as a low income. The first to click, overcoming the foreseeable block of the systems due to the large presence of users, will have the upper hand.
Does all this translate into free sessions? No! The maximum cost covered is 50 euros, which means that you will pay around 20-30 euros per session out of your own pocket. This is provided that professionals do not increase their tariffs, not satisfied with the INPS reimbursement which takes a few months to arrive.
