The budget law 2022 of 36.5 billion, which came into force on January 1, provided for funds for the psychological support of students, but left the “mental health” bonus “out the door”, that is support for those who, even without a diagnosed with a mental disorder, due to the impact the pandemic has had on his life he needs psychological assistance. And, also due to the economic difficulties arising from the health emergency, including lockdowns, restrictive measures and distance learning, he does not have the possibility to pay for that kind of support, necessary in the face of depression, a sense of loneliness, anxiety or fear of getting sick. .
In fact, if the budget of the Fund for the functioning of state educational institutions increases for 2022 – it is “reinforced” for 2022 with 20 million euros – in order to guarantee psychological assistance and support in the context of the same decisive passage of the text in the Senate, due to lack of coverage, a bipartisan amendment (M5s, Iv, Pd, LeU, Lega and Fdi) did not pass which, if approved, would have put in place a “start-up bonus” to make an initial contribution to all those who, even without a diagnosis of mental disorder, need to start a therapeutic path and a “support bonus” of up to 1,600 euros per year according to the ISEE.
The stop to the amendment: there is no coverage
Overall, € 50 million would have been needed (15 for the first support; 35 for the second). The formula, in the case of the “start-up bonus”, would have provided for the recognition of 150 euros without income limits, in the form of vouchers that can be used to pay for sessions with specialists, for those who, of age, have not been diagnosed with a mental disorder and are not has benefited from other concessions in the field of mental health. The second support would instead be linked to the ISEE: 1,600 euros with ISEE up to 15,000 euros, 800 euros with ISEE between 15,000 and 50,000 euros, 400 euros for people with incomes between 50,000 and 90,000 euros.
Psychological support in state educational institutions
In terms of psychological support, therefore. the maneuver puts on the table new resources to support the staff of state educational institutions, students and families through professional services for psychological assistance and support in relation to the prevention and treatment of the inconveniences and consequences deriving from the epidemiological emergency Covid -19.
Psychological health of children and adolescents
The maneuver also extends to 31 December 2022 the measures provided for by Legislative Decree 73/2021 (article 33) for the protection of the well-being and psychological protection of children and adolescents from the effects of the pandemic. Until that day, the extension gives the possibility to companies or NHS entities to use forms of self-employment, including coordinated and continuous collaboration, for the recruitment of health professionals and social workers. To this end, eight million euros are allocated from the level of financing of the standard national health needs to which the State contributes for the same year.