"On Eating Disorders Day - explained the University Union and the Secondary Students' Network this morning - we denounce how Italy is the only European country not to include the figure of a psychologist in the school system. Yet, in Italy , almost 10% of girls and 1% of boys suffer from anorexia or bulimia. Today we ask the Government and Parliament to hurry. Our bill is still stuck in the Culture Committee of the Chamber and we ask that it be approved quickly to have a psychological, psychotherapeutic and counseling service in schools and universities, which can be based on professional staff and interface with the health service. Ministers Schillaci, Valditara and Bernini listen to us".
Alongside the students - in addition to the parliamentarians - there were also the CGIL and the SPI CGIL.
"The Government and Parliament - states the CGIL - have the duty to respond to the appeal coming from students to introduce psychological assistance in schools and universities and, at the same time, it is necessary to strengthen the network of social and health services in the area This Government has forgotten young people and is dismantling the future of our country: we hope that, at least on such a delicate and emergency issue, a convergence can be found to provide effective responses and resources".
"The psychological distress of the new generations - claims the Spi Cgil - is one of the emergencies to which an immediate response must be given. The CGIL pensioners, who have the future of the country at heart, immediately supported this bill. Politics has the opportunity today to give a signal: take it and fight for the approval of this first legislative act".
The students raised a cry of alarm to politicians to have psychological services at schools and universities and invited the opposition parties under the Ministry of Health to ask them for a concrete commitment.
DCA video, students in front of the Ministry: 'We ask for help desks in schools'
"We stand alongside the students of the UDU, of the network of middle school students, SPI and CGIL, for this morning of mobilization. I wanted to be here personally because today is not a random day. Today is March 15th. international conference dedicated to eating disorders and real illnesses that need to be addressed as such with tools and paths that we don't see being implemented sufficiently today".
The secretary of the Democratic Party Elly Schlein said this during the press conference in front of the Ministry of Health to present the bill for psychologists in schools together with the students.
"Now - he adds - the resources are lacking and instead they must be there and adequate".
"I thank you for the battle you have fought - he continues, addressing the student representatives - and which we as the democratic party also supported against the cuts that had been made".
"However, we must tell the truth - continues Schlein - the fact that only 10 of the 25 million have been allocated for 2024 is not enough and it must be said".
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