Italian Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, signed a decree this Friday (27) establishing a “psychological grant” for low- and middle-income people.
The measure aims to help the population face the psychological effects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has lasted for more than two years. “This is a first step. Mental health is one of the biggest challenges today,” Speranza said.
The program provides a further €10 million (R$50 million) for the distribution of vouchers with a maximum value of €600 (R$3,000) per capita to strengthen the country’s healthcare structures.
The aid will be awarded up to 50,000 euros (R$250 thousand) to citizens with an Equivalent Indicator of Economic Condition (ISEE), a tool that measures living conditions by annual income and assets.
The scholarship will vary based on the applicant’s income and, in practice, should benefit several people. Considering the 600 Euro ceiling set by the government, the number of beneficiaries in a country with a population of close to 60 million will not exceed 16 thousand.
Codacons, Italy’s leading consumer protection agency, described the initiative as “marketing” and said, “The majority of citizens who develop forms of mental illness with Covid will be removed from the program.” (ANSA).
source: Noticias
