La salute mentale in adolescenza: Sfide, opportunità e modelli di intervento

Adolescence and young adulthood represent a critical period of life, characterised by profound psychobiological and psychosocial changes, during which there is a high incidence of mental disorders. The prevention and early intervention strategies currently implemented in this area of mental health, both in Italy and abroad, do not yet meet the treatment needs of this population. This article examines the challenges associated with the diagnosis and early intervention for mental disorders in the young population, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary and transdiagnostic approach to meet the specific needs of this age group. The clinical and research experience of the PRIMA project in Udine, an outpatient psychiatric unit for people aged between 16 and 35, demonstrates not only the feasibility of implementing such a model, but also its effectiveness in addressing the specific needs of adolescents and young adults. Through an integrated, patient-centred approach, the PRIMA project represents an important step towards making mental health services more sensitive and responsive to the specific challenges and needs of this vulnerable population in the context of contemporary socio-environmental challenges.