Starting from the next school year, the Calabria it will be the first Italian region to guarantee the Free presence of the school psychologist in middle and high schools. The initiative, christened Let’s discuss together – the psychologist at schoolrepresents a structural and innovative intervention in the panorama ofpublic education national. The project, supported by 9 million euros in European funds, provides for the hiring of 43 Psychologists intended for 285 educational institutions distributed throughout the regional territory.
This professional figure will be present at school to offer psychological support to students, teachers and families. The goal is to prevent and intercept promptly signals of youth discomfortlike depression, eating disorders, bullying And digital dependenciesoffering a space of listening and comparison.
The initiative is the result of the direct commitment of the President of the Calabria Region, Roberto Occhiutotouched by a family tragedy that has strengthened his determination in carrying out a cultural turn on mental health. Francesco – The son of his brother, the senator Mario Occhiuto – In fact, it disappeared because of depression. Occhiuto wanted to transform this experience into a concrete and social impact action, also recalling the nephew with a hashtag that accompanies the #dedicatefrancesco initiative.
View this post on Instagram
The project could become a forerunner for other regions
Psychologists will not carry out psychotherapy activities, but will play a central role of consultancy, prevention and orientation. Listening doors and accompanying activities will be established also for teachers and parentswith a view to educational network. During school closing periods, professionals will remain active at the Provincial Health Authoritiesguaranteeing the continuity of the service.
The project, with one Initial duration of three yearswas developed in synergy with the regional school office and the order of the psychologists of Calabria, and could become the national reference model. The hope is that this regional experimentation turns to a extent structural on a national scale With the school that could thus become a place to intercept the signals of malaise and intervene in time, before it is too late.
In a country where The psychological discomfort is still too often a tabooCalabria shows that you can – and must – do more. An initiative that represents an important Passo Cultural towards an education really centered on the Student well -being.
