Apri le porte e libera la mente…: un percorso di sensibilizzazione verso i disturbi mentali rivolto a studenti e insegnanti di una scuola superiore nella città di Brescia

Introduction More and more evidences show that people suffering from mental disorders are addressed to the treatment some years after the onset of early signs of illness. This delay represents one of the most important factors that causing a bad prognosis. It seems to depend, both to the lack of knowledge on mental health and to the absence of specific programs for the prevention, early treatment and promotion of mental health. Methodology Students and teachers were enrolled in a project composed by information/sensitization meetings, using experiential and interactive techniques, with the aims to identify and to increase the knowledge about mental disorders and to decrease false beliefs and stereotypes. To evaluate the effectiveness of the project, we used instruments created ad hoc for students and teachers. Results 115 students and 33 teachers were involved. These results concern the preliminary data on the students target group only. Most of the students are able to recognize the name of mental disorders. After the meetings, decrease the number of students who think that people with psychosis are dangerous and increase the number of those who think that exist effective therapies for the treatment of people suffering from psychosis. However, there are still many students who believe that only few people with psychosis can be treated. In all three times, only half of students also believes that people suffering from psychosis should be able to have a job. Conclusion we think that a widespread information in specific target groups and the engagement in a training where students and teachers are active protagonists represent the key to reduce prejudice and to approach people to mental health services, when needed.