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Understanding mental health through listening and sharing
The second day of the conference, “A Healing Presence: The Church’s Call to Mental Health Ministry,” reflects on the state of mental health among young people and the relationship between psychological distress and drug use.
Vatican News
Organized by the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers in collaboration with the Don Luigi Di Liegro International Foundation and the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the conference is held under the patronage of the Pontifical Academy for Life. It also coincides with World Mental Health Day and Pope Leo XIV’s monthly prayer intention.
Greater attention
The morning’s proceedings took place at the headquarters of the Don Luigi Di Liegro International Foundation and opened with a presentation by Alessandro Vento, a psychiatrist and president of the Observatory on Addictions, who drew attention to the state of mental health among Italy’s younger population.
Highlighting the increase in drug use, particularly among young people, Vento noted that many suicides may be linked to the effects of drugs, including new psychoactive substances.
The psychiatrist also stressed the need for greater collaboration among families, institutions, and associations to provide better support for people living with mental illness, who deserve greater attention.
Experiences and solutions
The event continued with testimonies and reflections from caregivers and people living with mental illness from various countries, who shared their experiences, concerns, and possible solutions.
At the end of the session, Gina Di Liegro, secretary-general of the Di Liegro Foundation, presented the organization’s mental health program. The foundation has long been actively involved in psychosocial rehabilitation and the social inclusion of people experiencing mental health difficulties.
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