Mental health in Italy

Mental health in Italy

A short presentation regarding mental health statistics in Italy

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It is estimated that approximately 20-25% of the Italian population suffers from mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders and attention disorders.

20-25%

Prevalence of mental disorders:

Most common mental disorders in Italy

• Depression: It is estimated that 5-6% of the Italian population suffers from major depression, while a higher percentage, around 10-15%, may experience less severe symptoms.
• Anxiety: Over 10% of Italians suffer from anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias or panic attack disorder.
• Mood disorders: These include disorders such as bipolar disorder and affect approximately 2-3% of the population.
• ADHD: Although there are no precise statistics, it is estimated that approximately 2-5% of children and young people in Italy may be affected by ADHD.
• Other mental disorders: There are a number of other mental disorders, such as eating disorders, sleeping disorders, personality disorders, etc. The percentages vary depending on the specific disorder and the reference population.

5.1 per 100,000 inhabitants

The suicide rate in Italy is generally lower than in other European countries, but it still remains a significant public health problem. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), around 3,000 suicides were recorded in the country in 2020. This represents a decrease compared to previous years, but it should be kept in mind that the data could be influenced by various factors, such as recording methods and the accuracy of reporting.

Mental care access

In Italy, access to mental health services is often limited by various factors. One of these is the social stigma associated with mental disorders, which leads many people to be hesitant to ask for help. Furthermore, a lack of awareness of available services and how to access them can hinder the use of these resources. Geographic availability of services is another challenge, with many rural areas having few or no options for psychological support. Finally, economic issues can limit access, with additional costs for private therapies or drugs not covered by the national health system. Addressing these issues requires efforts to reduce social stigma, improve accessibility of services, and provide financial support to ensure everyone can access the care they need.

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