Leonardo Meneghetti, head of the Mental Health Department, speaks. “Social isolation is felt and self-harm increases”
the interview
The mind, this unknown. In almost thirty years of career, Dr. Leonardo Meneghetti, who today heads the Mental Health Department of Ulss 2, has probed the deepest folds of the human soul and has been able to touch the emotional distress of thousands of patients. Yet, every unhappiness is in its own way. And the pandemic threatens to aggravate the situation by hitting the youngest people hard, above all.
Doctor Meneghetti, what worries you most about the current health emergency?
“The condition of isolation weighs on everyone. Compared to the economic crisis of 2008, the pandemic crisis risks being dramatically different and more impactful, since we already have the overlap between economic difficulties and the social, community and values crisis “.
Which sections of the population are most exposed?
“Between the first and second waves we have seen an increase in the suicides of entrepreneurs, just like thirteen years ago. The loss of work, the lack of a prospect of economic recovery, the uncertainty of the future, have a significant impact. But not least, adolescents are affected ».
What signals are coming from the youngest?
“Social isolation is felt on the younger generations. Adolescents need to develop their personality through being together with others, separation from the family, the search for spaces of autonomy. Throughout Italy, children’s neuropsychiatry departments are overflowing, our emergency rooms, pediatricians and mental health departments are on the field to identify juvenile discomfort from the very first symptoms ».
In what ways does it manifest itself? “Gestures of self-harm, drug abuse, up to the suicide attempt. Between the ages of 15 and 29, suicide is the second leading cause of death ever, therefore it constitutes a very present reality ».
What leads a person to perform the extreme gesture? «Suicide does not always have to do with mental illness, it is a multidimensional phenomenon, very complex, in which there is mental suffering but in many cases it is not the only cause. One can also kill oneself out of desperation: suicide is a human and social phenomenon. Aspects such as isolation, job loss, the shattering of one’s identity, and the loss of community support, can be disruptive factors that could lead to suicide ”.
Looking at the data of the province of Treviso, 2020 recorded 56 cases of suicide, in 2019 74. How to read these data apparently in contrast?
«Very difficult to give an interpretation. However, it should be stressed that we have always kept mental health services open and this may have cushioned the backlash of the pandemic. The operators worked hard to deal with the numerous requests, we never stopped. We have recently developed a project to support, prevent and manage suicidal gestures of the Ulss 2 population which monitors all subjects to carry out an in-depth analysis over time ».
When we realize that something in us or in those around us is wrong: who can we ask for help?
«Never underestimate and never be afraid to ask your family doctor for advice, or our services in support of childhood and adolescence, as well as adulthood. We also welcome those who do not have the referral with a nursing care, we evaluate the request and give the best indication to face the situation ».
What projects is the Treviso healthcare sector putting in place?
“Among the initiatives, a course to train volunteers to be involved in the management of violent deaths, capable of providing the survivors with a first hearing, but also practical help. We must implement public health services so that they can give ever more effective responses to the community affected and traumatized by the events “.
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