Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 2: Addressing mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies (33IC/19/R2) – Italian Red Cross

Has your State/National Society/Institution incorporated the commitments contained in this resolution into the relevant strategic or operational plans?

The commitments are incorporated into:
Strategy
Policy
Operational plan
Legislation (e.g. Law, Regulation, Statutes, Rules of Procedure etc.)

At the National, Local level

Explanation:

the Italian Red Cross has incorporated the commitments into relevant strategic and operational plans. Specifically, they implemented in June 2019 the Psychological First Aid service and a toll-free helpline (1520), thanks to funding from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, by which the Italian Red Cross promoted the project “CRI per le persone”. Initially aimed mainly at people in conditions of loneliness and at risk of social isolation, in this case, the elderly who – more than others – live the summer often confined to their homes and away from their families. the toll-free number 800-065510 became a single point of access for anyone who needs company and listening.

With the beginning of the Sars-Cov-2 emergency, the toll-free number 800-065510 and the Psychological First Aid service continue, even more, to be an important reference for thousands of people. In May 2022, through the agreement with the Ministry of health, the public utility number 1520 was activated.

The ItRC also established guidelines for response, provided social and psychiatric support, and offered mental health support to volunteers and employees. These actions align with strategic and operational plans to address mental health and psychosocial needs, especially during the Sars-Cov-2 emergency. 

Guidelines prepared and adopted:

• Establishing guidelines for incoming calls. People in need of mental health support can call the toll-free number 1520; the tier-one operators collect the caller’s details and needs and send a report to the team of psychologists and therapists; the caller is then called back within the following 30 days to be taken into charge. In case of emergencies, the call is immediately transferred to the psychologist.
• Establishing guidelines for taking into charge. After the first interview with the team of psychologists and therapists, it then assesses the possible treatment pathway: whether temporary mental health and well-being support with 8 or 10 interviews or – in addition to the interviews – treatment in a local mental health unit.  

The Italian Red Cross has done its bit right from the start, building on the tradition that the Psychological First Aid service has always represented for the Organisation. The PFA is a milestone of the support provided by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, together with emergency mental health support.

Has your State/National Society/Institution been working with other partners to implement the commitments contained in this resolution?

Partner with:
Government and/or public authorities
ICRC/IFRC
Humanitarian and development partners (e.g. UN, NGOs etc.)
Other

Examples of cooperation:

The Italian Red Cross has worked with several partners to implement the commitments contained in the resolution. These partnerships include:

• Government and Public Authorities: The ItRC collaborated with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies and the Ministry of Health to establish and operate the Psychological First Aid service and toll-free helpline.
• ICRC/IFRC: Collaborative efforts within the broader Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
• Other Volunteer Organizations: Cooperation with local Red Cross committees and other volunteer organizations to provide social support and address expressed needs.

These partnerships have been essential for the successful implementation of mental health and psychosocial support services.

Have you encountered any challenges in implementing the commitments contained in this resolution?

With challenges on:
Lack of capacity and/or support (technical, financial, or other)

Details about challenges:

Yes, the Italian Red Cross encountered challenges in implementing the commitments contained in the resolution. Specifically:

• Public Mental Health Services: The public mental health services in Italy are often unable to respond to the high volume of requests for help.
• Referral Difficulties: This has created significant difficulties in referring people to local services for further support.

These challenges have impacted the effectiveness and efficiency of providing mental health and psychosocial support to those in need.

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the work and direction of your State/National Society/Institution?

Type of Impact:
Cooperation between Government/public authorities and National Society has been strengthened
Programming and operations have become more effective and efficient
Innovative tools/methodologies have been developed and are utilized
Partnerships with other humanitarian actors have been created or enhanced
Increase in mobilization of resources
Training and capacity of staff and volunteers has increased (for National Societies)

Details about the impact:

the commitments contained in this resolution have significantly impacted the work and direction of the Italian Red Cross. The ItRC developed effective operational plans and innovative tools, such as online socialization groups and training for volunteers, to combat loneliness and provide mental health support:

• Strengthened Cooperation: Enhanced cooperation between the Government/public authorities and the National Society.
• Operational Efficiency: Programming and operations have become more effective and efficient.
• Innovative Tools: Development and utilization of innovative tools and methodologies.
• Setting up a team of professionals. The Italian Red Cross set up a team of 10 people, including psychologists and therapists, to answer the calls from Monday to Sunday, from 8 am to 8 pm, providing a tier-2 response to all those in need of support.
• Training for Volunteers. Guidelines for activities to combat loneliness were created and disseminated to all local committees. Furthermore, around 700 volunteers were trained on the specific topic
• Providing social support, if necessary. In interviews with professionals people often express other needs. If any social needs are expressed or inferred, the helpline psychologist alerts the competent local Red Cross committee and social services, besides other volunteer organizations. 
• Establishing the basis for psychiatric support. In cases where psychologists realize that the person needs pharmacological support, they refer the person to public mental health centers.
• Providing mental health support to the volunteers and employees of the Italian Red Cross. They have been offered the possibility of individual mental health support sessions and helped with stress management tools and establishing improved relations with the more “critical” patients, besides providing a space for addressing emotional discomfort. 
• Socialization Online group. Among the people supported through the psychologists’ desk, many suffer from loneliness and social isolation. To address this discomfort, online socialization groups facilitated by psychologists have been activated.

These impacts have improved the delivery and scope of mental health and psychosocial support services. The Italian Red Cross has done its bit right from the start, building on the tradition that the Psychological First Aid service has always represented for the Organisation. The PFA is a milestone of the support provided by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, together with emergency mental health support.

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the communities that your State/National Society/Institution serves?

Description of the impact:

the commitments have had a positive impact on the communities served by the Italian Red Cross:

• Helpline and Support Services: From 2021 to 2023, the helpline received 5,686 calls for mental health support, resulting in 34,116 interviews.
• Referrals: 773 cases were referred to local services and CRI Committees.
• Supervision Activities: 200 operators were involved in supervision activities.

These services have provided crucial mental health and psychosocial support, enhancing community well-being and addressing loneliness and social isolation.