# Italy youth mental health concerns

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italy-youth-mental-health-concerns
> Updated: 2026-08-06T11:54:03.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026 Italy’s free mental‑health telephone service SOSS recorded a sharp rise in calls, with parental contacts climbing from 8 % to 35 % of all calls, especially in the Lazio region. Experts linked the surge to growing anxiety, depression and distress among adolescents and called for early, non‑clinical interventions in homes, schools and communities.

Official data released shortly after confirmed that pediatric psychotropic drug use had more than tripled since 2016, reaching a 0.64 % prevalence among children and adolescents in 2025. The latest AIFA report detailed a 12.1 % increase over 2024, a prescription rate of 63.8 per 1,000 children and consumption of 66.9 packages per 1,000 – more than three times the 2016 level. Use was highest among 12‑17‑year‑olds (1.56 % prevalence, 142.2 packages per 1,000). Overall, 46.3 % of the pediatric population (about 4.1 million) took at least one medication. The most marked growth was seen in ADHD treatments, especially methylphenidate (+28.9 %), as well as atypical antipsychotics aripiprazole (+14.6 %) and risperidone (+13.3 %), and the antidepressant sertraline (+9.6 %). While Italy’s consumption remains below that of France and the United States, the combined rise in service demand and pharmaceutical treatment underscores an expanding need for both supportive and medical responses to youth mental‑health challenges.

## Claims

- In 2025 the prevalence of psychotropic drug use among Italian children was 0.64%, a 12.1% increase over 2024. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- 13.3% of pediatric psychotropic drug users received only one prescription in 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The prescription rate for pediatric psychotropic drugs was 63.8 per 1,000 children in 2025, up 13.2% from the previous year. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Consumption of pediatric psychotropic drugs reached 66.9 packages per 1,000 children in 2025, representing 3.4% of total pediatric drug consumption. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- From 2016 to 2025, pediatric psychotropic drug prevalence and consumption more than tripled, rising from 0.26% (20.6 packages per 1,000 children) to 0.64% (66.9 packages per 1,000 children). (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The highest psychotropic drug use was among 12‑17‑year‑olds, with 142.2 packages per 1,000 children and a prevalence of 1.56%. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- In 2025, 46.3% of Italy’s pediatric population (about 4.1 million children) took at least one medication. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- ADHD medication (methylphenidate) use rose 28.9%, atypical antipsychotics aripiprazole 14.6% and risperidone 13.3%, and antidepressant sertraline 9.6% in 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-06: Italy reports rise in pediatric psychotropic drug use, consumption triples since 2016

Italy's pediatric psychotropic drug use rose to 0.64% in 2025, with consumption tripling since 2016 and notable increases in ADHD and antidepressant prescriptions, AIFA reports.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-sees-sharp-rise-in-pediatric-psychotropic-drug-use-consumption-triples-since-2016

### 2026-07-30: Italy mental health hotline sees surge in parental calls, stays open through August

Italy’s SOSS mental‑health helpline reports a surge in parental calls, with demand up from 8 % to 35 % and service staying open through August, highlighting growing youth distress.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-mental-health-hotline-sees-surge-in-parental-calls-stays-open-through-august

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Cite as: Italy youth mental health concerns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italy-youth-mental-health-concerns