Mental health

An integral part of global health is mental health, understood as a state of psychological well-being that allows one to face life’s challenges and achieve self-realization. Mental health is central to the well-being of individuals and society and is a fundamental right. Risk factors for mental health include low emotional literacy, social isolation, poverty, violence, substance abuse, and social injustices. Conversely, protective factors for mental health are good social relationships, satisfaction in school and work, and a strong sense of community.

Recent health, geopolitical, and social emergencies have strongly undermined mental health worldwide, with a significant increase in various forms of psychological distress.

Particular attention is drawn to the mental health of young people, which is fragile, with rising cases of depression, self-harm, isolation, and school dropout, with serious economic repercussions as well. The current situation, with global emergencies and often unconscious use of technologies, urgently requires specific prevention and support programs for young people. On the other hand, global crises also affect families and new parents, often facing insecurity, loneliness, or technoference. It is essential to support parents and families, as precious cradles and cells of community mental health, with programs designed to enhance resources, awareness, and coping skills.

Depression, anxiety, medications, and suicides

According to the WHO, mental health has worsened worldwide since the COVID-19 pandemic. A Eurobarometer survey in 2023 showed that almost 1 in 2 people (46% of the entire EU population) experienced emotional or psychosocial problems, such as symptoms of anxiety or depression, in the preceding twelve months. Globally, there was a 25% increase in cases of anxiety and depression in the first year of the pandemic.

The OECD’s Health at a Glance 2023 report also confirms that, since the start of the pandemic, the proportion of the population suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression has increased in all member countries with available data, in some cases even doubling. There has also been a significant increase in suicidal ideation in certain countries, especially among young people. OECD data also show that Italians and Europeans are increasingly using antidepressants, whose use has nearly doubled and a half in the last twenty years.

Beyond the great personal suffering and that of families involved in psychological distress, poor mental health also negatively impacts the economy. OECD data from 2018 show that mental health costs, for the 27 EU countries and the United Kingdom, amount to at least €600 billion annually, or more than 4% of GDP.

Loneliness and social isolation

Social isolation is a serious risk factor for our mental health, often caused by psychological disorders, discrimination, or dementia. When chronic, isolation can lead to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and, in an attempt to compensate, the onset of dysfunctional behaviors such as smoking or alcohol and substance abuse.

However, there is also positive solitude which, unlike imposed social isolation, enhances well-being, awareness, and interoception. This is intentional, balanced solitude, such as taking time for oneself. This solitude acts as a protective factor for our mental health, promoting introspection, creativity, and even quality relationships. It increases our sense of well-being, satisfaction, awareness, and good mood, especially if practiced in calm or natural environments.

Mental health across the lifespan

Mental health is closely related to our lifestyle, and by adjusting it, we can positively influence psychological well-being throughout life.

In children

It is fundamental for their overall development and long-term well-being. During childhood, children face challenges related to growth, learning, and social interaction. A stable and affectionate family environment with adequate emotional support is crucial to promoting healthy psychological development. Factors such as stress, trauma, bullying, and school difficulties can negatively affect children’s mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders.

Schools play an important role in promoting children’s mental health, combining teaching, play, creative expression, outdoor time, and cooperative learning. Programs for bullying and cyberbullying prevention are essential, as their harms deeply impact the psychological well-being of future adults. Also crucial are emotional and environmental education projects for creating safe, sustainable, and inclusive environments.

Mental health of adolescents and young people

Adolescents’ and young people’s mental health is a global emergency and concern. The high incidence of psychological disorders, including anxiety, stress, and depression, is linked to academic pressure, performance anxiety, social and family expectations, isolation, and constant exposure to social media. A key preventive factor is sports, especially if shared and outdoors. Group physical activity improves social skills and promotes endorphin release, which provides a sense of well-being.

Mental health of adults

Adult mental health deals with accumulating family and professional responsibilities, with the risk of not dedicating time to oneself and living on “autopilot,” silencing dreams and aspirations. Digital hyperconnection is often used to compensate for real-life frustrations or to obtain simple, immediate pleasure. However, often distorted and unattainable media and social network models can foster insecurity, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy. Hyperconnection and technoference can also negatively affect personal relationships. Valuable tools to reconnect with oneself and one’s dreams are silence and meditative practices, which contribute to well-being, promoting awareness and cognitive skills.

Mental health in older adults

Mental health in older adults is increasingly important, given rising life expectancy. An elder’s well-being is closely linked to that of their relationships, as loneliness and social isolation are among the most serious risk factors for anxiety, depression, and dementia. Physical activity and healthy nutrition, which helps counter neurodegeneration, are also crucial at this age. Meditation also brings significant benefits to the elderly, reducing stress, inflammation, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular diseases.

Parental well-being

Nowadays, parents face numerous challenges, amplified by the complexity of modern life. Maintaining a good work-life balance, combining different responsibilities and ensuring quality time with children, can be complex, leading to insecurities and guilt. Managing internal and external expectations can be challenging, especially when trying to balance children’s needs with career and personal life. In juggling time, between family and work responsibilities, parents may neglect their well-being, risking chronic stress and burnout. A supportive family and social network, including grandparents, who play an important role in grandchildren’s education, is invaluable.

Continuous access to technology and social media can increase parental pressure, causing anxiety and feelings of inadequacy when faced with idealized images of seemingly perfect families. Hyperconnection can also lead to technoference, a harmful interference of technology in relationships, hindering communication and connection with children. The negative effect of hyperconnection can be exacerbated by loneliness and social isolation, which threaten family organization and emotional fabric.

It is essential to ensure adequate support for parental mental health, promoting access to resources and tools to face daily challenges. The Prefigurare il Futuro training program is particularly dedicated to positively addressing adolescence, with in-person meetings, video lessons, and educational materials, valuable for the entire educational community, including teachers and parents.

Workplace well-being

Workplace well-being is a component of mental health. Work is not only a natural means of sustenance but a tool for personal fulfillment, useful for recognizing and cultivating meaning in life, even within society. A positive and supportive work environment contributes to a person’s mental health. Conversely, a negative environment can worsen conditions such as anxiety, depression, and stress.

A decisive factor for workplace well-being is a positive balance between professional and personal life, especially sought after by young workers. Excessive workload, unrealistic expectations, and long hours can cause chronic stress, negatively impacting mental health. A proper balance can increase job satisfaction and improve psychological well-being.

Investing in corporate culture, promoting an inclusive and proactive environment that enhances relationships and productivity, is essential. Burnout prevention and stress management policies, with assistance programs, training, and promotion of physical and recreational activities, are necessary. Recognizing and addressing early signs of distress can prevent worsening conditions, improving workers’ quality of life and overall company performance.

Trust and mutual support among colleagues provide an important support system in facing challenges. To cultivate them, good communication and intergenerational dialogue among workers are essential. Emotional literacy programs and soft skills development are vital to foster good communication and cooperation.

Mental health resources

Cultivating mental health means, on the one hand, mitigating risk factors and, on the other, strengthening positive resources that play a protective role for our psychological well-being. In this sense, prevention coincides with education to face daily challenges, becoming aware of one’s potential and optimizing it. This goal is pursued by developing emotional intelligence and all inner skills that protect our psychological well-being. Among these:

• Resilience helps us face adversity and emerge stronger and renewed. Resilience reduces stress and its negative impact on well-being and can also be developed through contemplative practices.
• Self-awareness allows us to recognize and understand our emotional states, facilitating effective emotion management.
• Emotional self-regulation helps reduce stress and maintain calm, even in complex situations.
• Empathy fosters meaningful connections with others, creating positive and inclusive social support.
• Self-esteem allows us to develop confidence in ourselves, even overcoming setbacks and failures.
• Good communication, non-violent and constructive, improves connection and conflict resolution, contributing to healthier social networks and a relaxed environment, essential for mental well-being.

Physical activity and mental health

Silence for mental health

Intentional and consciously chosen silence is a fundamental resource for mental health. Current scientific research recognizes it as a protective tool for well-being, essential for cultivating self-awareness. Intentional silence can reduce stress, lower cortisol levels, and promote an overall state of calm. It encourages reflection and awareness, improving decision-making and problem-solving abilities, stimulating creativity, concentration, productivity, and mental clarity. Silence helps maintain good sleep quality, reducing insomnia and promoting deep rest.

In an increasingly noisy world, silence offers a regenerative refuge for the mind, contributing to overall psychological well-being. Integrated with contemplative practices, silence modulates our brain waves, helping reduce stress and inflammation. Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti dedicates the event I.C.O.N.S. International Conference On The Neurophysiology Of Silence to conscious silence and its neurophysiological, psychological, and molecular aspects. Researchers and scientists share current findings on silence, discussing the most innovative applications for global human health.

Meditation for mental health

Contemplative practices are a protective factor for our mental health, primarily because they enhance our ability to recognize and manage our emotions, inducing calm and awareness. Meditation affects the same brain structures, in terms of size and shape, increasing gray matter in several brain areas: hippocampus, temporoparietal junction, posterior cingulate cortex, and cerebellum. Meditation helps reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and even pain perception, significantly improving quality of life. Contemplative practices simultaneously encourage positive states of relief, acceptance, joy, compassion, loving-kindness, and gratitude.

Mindful breathing techniques can help calm the mind, improve concentration, and manage stress. Forms of moving meditation or mindful movement, such as Yoga and Quadrato Motor Training, combine the benefits of meditation and physical activity, promoting a conscious connection between body and mind.