Mental Health Services See Shift too In-Person Care & Increased Hospital Demand, Eating Disorder Center Mapping Completed
Recent data from the ISS (Istituto Superiore di Sanità – Italian National Institute of Health) reveals a changing landscape in mental health service provision. While demand for hospital-based mental healthcare has increased compared to 2020, there’s been a critically important decrease in telemedicine, with a strong return to in-person services.
The workforce is also evolving. The ISS reports a slight decline in the number of psychiatrists, social workers, and psychiatric rehabilitation therapists, alongside a slight increase in psychologists and social health workers. Despite these shifts,the ISS team emphasizes the continued critical need for a robust mental health workforce to address both existing and emerging needs. They call for strengthening service offerings to meet established standards.
“The data show a complex but useful snapshot for understanding future challenges,” commented the ISS team.
Mapping of Eating Disorder Services
Alongside these broader trends, the Ministry of Health, through the ISS, has completed a national mapping of services dedicated to nutrition and eating disorders. As of September 2025, the mapping identifies 225 structures offering support: 54 associations and 171 treatment centers.
Key findings from the mapping include:
* Service Distribution: 83 centers are located in Northern Italy, 36 in Central Italy, and 52 in the south and Islands.
* Sector Breakdown: 137 treatment centers are part of the National Health Service, while 34 operate within the accredited private sector.
* Workforce: 2,019 professionals staff these centers, with a high level of specialized training (82%) and ongoing professional development (79%). 75% of these professionals are employed in structured positions.
* age Range Served: The majority of centers cater to young adults (18-25 years - 95%), but also provide services for adolescents (13-17 years – 89%), young professionals (26-35 years – 84%), and older adults (36-45 years – 81%, over 45 years – 74%). Over half (51%) also treat children aged 7-12, and a smaller percentage (21%) serve those 6 years and younger.
