Bonus psychologist, the government rethinks it: it will be included in the Milleproroghe decree

He had been excluded from the Budget Law at the last minute – last December – for lack of financial coverage. The sudden cancellation of the Psychologist Bonus was one of the most disappointing news at the beginning of 2022, in the middle of the Omicron variant pandemic. A choice contested by civil society, by local authorities, politicians, administrators, various professional categories, which it induced 21 scientific societies to draft a document addressed to the government for a new institution of the bonus and which even gave rise to a social protest that culminated in a petition on change.org, which has already collected over 313,000 signatures for the restoration of the provision.

The government measure that it allows to financially support those who have undertaken or want to start a psychological path it was particularly important for young people who – deprived of sociality in a fundamental period of development – represent the category most affected in terms of mental health by the lockdown. And that’s not all. Because two years after the start of the Covid emergency, the impact of the pandemic on mental health continues to generate discomfort, as the data confirm: according to the National Council of the Order of Psychologists in these years as many as 8 out of 10 people have developed problems of psychological malaise structured e 2 out of 10 strictly speaking and more severe mental disorders“.

The recent decision announced by the Minister Roberto Speranza of restore a measure dedicated to post-pandemic psychological assistance and inserting it – with a probable allocation of around 20 million euros – in the new decree under discussion in the House in the next few days therefore appears to be a necessary and responsible choice. And it might not be the only one. “It is a first sign, but we must strengthen territorial and psychological assistance”, underlined the Minister of Health. «We are working on the bonus and already in Milleproroghe we will give a first signal that goes in this direction ».

Therefore, addressing the issue of mental health in the era of the Covid pandemic therefore seems to be a priority also in the government sphere. Host of the broadcast Half an hour moreSperanza in fact specified: «With the psychological bonus we do not solve everything, we must strengthen the public health service in the field of mental health. More resources are needed forterritorial and psychological assistance with a systemic action. The bonus is a first sign and my commitment is there ».

Other stories of Vanity Fair that may interest you are:

The pandemic, the consequences of mental distress and those very high social costs not considered

Trauma: what it is and how to break the chains that prevent us from living better

Goodbye psychological bonus! Here are the alternatives born to support mental health in Italy

Psychologist Bonus, Why Is Mental Health Not Worth an Investment?

Source: Vanity Fair

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