The second day of the conference titled “A Healing Presence: The Church’s Call to Mental Health Ministry” focused on mental health issues affecting young people and the connection between psychological distress and drug use.
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Organized by the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers in collaboration with the Don Luigi Di Liegro International Foundation and the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the event is sponsored by the Pontifical Academy for Life. It coincides with World Mental Health Day and Pope Leo XIV’s monthly prayer intention.
The morning session was held at the Don Luigi Di Liegro International Foundation’s headquarters and featured a presentation by psychiatrist Alessandro Vento, who is also the president of the Observatory on Addictions. He highlighted concerning trends in mental health among Italy’s youth, specifically the rise in drug use and its potential links to increased suicide rates, particularly involving new psychoactive substances.
Vento emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration among families, institutions, and community organizations to improve support for individuals living with mental illness, affirming that they deserve heightened attention.
The conference also included testimonies from caregivers and individuals living with mental health challenges across various countries, sharing their experiences and discussing potential solutions. Furthermore, Gina Di Liegro, secretary-general of the Di Liegro Foundation, outlined the organization’s mental health program, which focuses on psychosocial rehabilitation and the social inclusion of those facing mental health difficulties.