Chilling numbers …
These extreme situations, which are in any case in strong growth, are accompanied by the whole series of disorders recently highlighted by the Gaslini hospital in Genoa: in 60-70% of the general pediatric population we find a malaise that results in sleep disorders , irritability and difficulty concentrating in children, while anxiety and depression prevail in adolescents.
What can be done in the face of such a worrying picture?
First of all, what has been dismantled must be reconstituted: personnel, care networks, dedicated child neuropsychiatry services within the mental health departments. While still today various Regions of the Center-South, without answers, lead families to a health migration that creates inequality of access. Local care is the priority: once a boy is discharged, we do not know where to direct him. Then the programming of departments and specialists must be reviewed: just think that there are only 92 beds dedicated to psychiatric emergencies throughout Italy. Of the 322 beds for Neuropsychiatry, the vast majority is dedicated to the neurological sphere, that is, in fact, to epilepsy, which however represents 0.6% of neuropsychiatric diseases while autism alone is almost 2%. As for doctors, even today, despite having funds, we do not find specialists. Not to mention the competition notices that are deserted due to lack of candidates. Yet even as we overcome this pandemic, mental disorders will certainly not disappear by magic.
Was the pandemic a missed opportunity to care for our children?
What is certain is that during the lockdown no one cared much about the children – ignored – or about the adolescents, treated like big babies or as infectors. Educational agencies that make a difference in terms of psychological well-being must be strengthened: therefore the family – with parents enabled to dedicate time to their children and to benefit from crucial services such as nursery schools – but also a welcoming and safe school and places to play sports.