The Pope on mental health care: a mission that unites science and solidarity care

Andressa Collette – Vatican News

On Friday morning (25th) a message of encouragement was sent from the Pope to the participants in 2nd National Conference on Mental Health This, for two days, In default mode, will discuss the challenges and problems faced by people with mental disorders in Italy. Even when dealing with a post-pandemic context that fosters an interest in providing suitable conditions for treatment, making “community culture prevail over the disposal mentality”.

Italy’s challenges in patient care

The second edition of the symposium comes twenty years after its first decade and marks the conclusion of the path of deepening within the technical groups of the Ministry of Health. Italy, according to Nerina Derenden, a government specialist in the field of mental health, says that the country, although considered by the World Health Organization “as a point of reference To abolish institutions, close sanatoriums and activate a network of regional services,” people with mental disorders “continue to receive inadequate responses.” According to the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), more than 3 million adults need care in this area.

Reality confirms that “it is of the utmost importance to acquire more and more knowledge of the professional and human requirements necessary for the care of our brothers and sisters”, as the Pope said in his letter, in order to meet the “conditions of these”. Those who suffer from psychological disorders, and provide them with appropriate treatment “for their own good and the interest of society.

The mission that unites science and solidarity care

Therefore, Francisco urges strengthening the health system for the prevention of mental illness, including support for scientific research, as well as the strengthening of associations and volunteers who care for patients and families. In this way the “warmth and affection of society” will not diminish, says the pontiff, adding:

The Pope also wants the conference to inspire institutions, educational bodies and other areas of society, with a “renewed sensitivity” to those with mental health problems and “fragility”. It’s also a matter of help.”The culture of society prevails on the mentality of disposalFrancisco confirms.

At the end of the letter, the pontiff also recalls how these patients, “with the sensitivity that accompanies their vulnerability, felt especially dangerous by the devastating psychological effects of the epidemic.” In addition to the health professionals themselves who have faced enormous challenges, it shows everyone “the need for appropriate healthcare formulas so that we leave no one behind and take care of everyone in a holistic and participatory way”. Finally, the Pope’s last wish is for the conference participants to continue “on the fruitful path of concern for solidarity”.