杏MAP导航

By Vatican News staff writer

杏MAP导航 Francis on Friday, addressed participants at the second National Conference on Mental Health promoted by the Italian Ministry of Health.

Extending his greetings to them, the 杏MAP导航 said that the event gives him the opportunity to express his esteem and that of the Church for physicians and healthcare workers who are involved in this delicate field.

Further underlining the importance of their work, the Holy Father noted that their commitment to offering appropriate treatment to people suffering from mental disorders is 鈥渁 great good for people and for society鈥� especially as they 鈥渉ave felt with particular gravity, the devastating psychological effects of the pandemic.鈥�

Need for improved health care systems

鈥淚t is therefore desirable,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 stressed, 鈥渙n the one hand, to strengthen the health care system for the protection of mental illness鈥� including providing support for those engaged in scientific research on such pathologies.

鈥淥n the other hand,鈥� he continued, it is necessary to 鈥減romote associations and volunteer organizations that work alongside the sick and their families.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to highlight the need to involve the living context of mental health patients so that they do not lack the 鈥渨armth and affection of a community.鈥�

鈥淢edical professionalism itself benefits from integral care of the person,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 insisted, adding that caring for one鈥檚 neighbour is not only a skilled job but a real mission that is fully realized when 鈥渟cientific knowledge meets the fullness of humanity and is translated into the tenderness that knows how to approach and take others to heart.鈥�

A renewed sensitivity toward mental health patients

Turning his attention to the conference, the 杏MAP导航 expressed hope that it will inspire in institutions, educational agencies and society, 鈥渁 renewed sensitivity鈥� toward those suffering from mental health problems in order to instill 鈥済reater confidence in our brothers and sisters, marked by fragility鈥�.

He went on to note that it is a question of helping to overcome the stigma attached to mental health problems and to make the 鈥渃ulture of community鈥� prevail over the 鈥渢hrow-away鈥� mentality which values more those who bring productive advantages to society and forgets that 鈥渢hose who suffer make the irrepressible beauty of human dignity shine forth in their wounded lives.鈥�

Covid-19

Amid the ongoing health emergency, the Holy Father highlighted the sacrifice of the health workers and encouraged them to continue 鈥渙n the path of caring in solidarity.鈥�

He noted that the pandemic confronted health workers with enormous challenges which brought to the fore, the need to have appropriate health care systems that do not leave anyone behind but takes care of everyone 鈥渋n an inclusive and participatory way.鈥�

Concluding his message, 杏MAP导航 Francis extended his good wishes to the conference鈥檚 participants and assured them of his prayers for all health workers, volunteers, patients and their families.