Order of Psychologists of Umbria: “Boom of applications for the psychological bonus”. Throughout Italy 230 thousand questions in just 7 days

In the days in which there is a boom in applications for the new psychological bonus, the Order of Psychologists of Umbria makes an initial assessment of the previous bonus, the one paid between September 2023 and today, which is closing at the same time. Around 7,000 citizens of Umbria applied for psychological help during 2023. “Practically one in a hundred Umbrians: an impressive figure in itself”, underlines the Order in a note. Analyzing the available numbers, it appears that out of 10 Umbrians who applied for the bonus, 7 are female and 3 male, one is a minor, over three between 18 and 30 years old, five between 31 and 65 years old.

150 thousand requests even arrived on the INPS platform in a single day, according to Democratic Party senator Filippo Sensi: almost 230 thousand were submitted after a week, from when the possibility of sending requests was opened. The possibility of applying for the psychologist bonus will close on May 31st: but the number already far exceeds the funds allocated: «These are impressive numbers, they tell us how serious the issue of mental health is in our country, how deeply felt, how necessary and new resources are urgent”, Sensi writes on social media: “More funds, more attention, more responses are needed”.

The budget assigned to Umbria for the first bonus was 372 thousand euros and “this made it possible to accept the applications of around a thousand citizens, taking into account the different income groups”. Certainly “significant help, but which highlights the widespread need that exists and which requires public responses because, as we can see, there are thousands of people who cannot afford to pay out of their own pockets”.

A striking figure is the 650 minors who requested help through their parents: only 1 in 10 was able to benefit from the bonus. For the president of the Order of Psychologists David Lazzari, it is “evident that the bonus has its own reason, but it cannot be left alone: ​​psychologists in schools and basic psychologists are also needed in our region which, as seen recently, has of psychological distress among the highest in Italy”.