Half of the children in Brescia suffer from depressive symptoms (43%) e anxious (47%), above the threshold of clinical interest. Among under 25 a high presence of impulsive and maladaptive behaviors emerges, in particular among the girls: we talk about self-harm, binge-eating (food binges) and excessive alcohol consumption.
This is, in a nutshell, what emerges from the project mental health research «Survery 2022», carried out by the Irccs, Istituto San Giovanni di Dio – Fatebenefratelli in via Pilastroni, in the city: the high frequency of depressive and anxious signs among the youth of our province is highlighted.
The survey was developed in two phases: a first analysis was carried out in the pre-Covid period, with the involvement of 716 students. A second evaluation followed which surveyed a sample of over 7000 students belonging to nine high schools in Brescia and the University of Brescia, aged under 25.
The evaluation
«The objective of the research was to investigate the levels of emotional dysregulation of the children – explains Roberta Rossi, psychotherapist at Fatebenefratelli -. To do this, we tried to understand whether alterations in biological processes linked to the stress response were associated with this dysregulation. Many reported significant aspects of psychological distress. These are situations that deserve preventive interventions to prevent what is now a signal from becoming chronic and becoming a clinical picture.”
The survey was presented last Monday 10 June in the newspaper library room in Piazza Paolo VI by the Spazio Civico association, born from the experience of the Castelletti Sindaco civic list in the last municipal elections.
Delicate topic
«As members of the list, we try to make a contribution to the Brescia community through training and information events – explained the psychologist and psychotherapist Flavia Cristofolini on that occasion -. Youth fragility is a delicate issue on which we have always insisted. The objective is to develop a psychological culture within society because it is essential that there is not only a sporting education for the citizen, but also a psychological one.”
Also present at the event was Angelo Mattei, manager of the La Fenice specialist center in viale Duca degli Abruzzi. His attention was directed in particular to adults: «Among parents there is often disorientation when faced with the discomfort of their children. When kids lock themselves in their rooms and retreat in silence, sometimes for entire days, it is taken for granted that they are fine. In reality, theirs is a silent scream that adults struggle to perceive as communication. Kids need comparison and trust. “Hello, how was school today?” is no longer enough, you need mental space and openness to dialogue.”
