The City of Castelvolturno of Caserta in the Southern part of Italy is populated with mixed immigrants and refugees from different parts of the world and most especially of those from Africa. This population faces diverse challenges and problems in everyday living, including mental health and physical health concerns, sometimes facing serious psychological and psychiatric issues. This presentation will touch on the mental health challenges, their causes and the remedies. Our interactions and interviews with people that come to Centro Sociale Ex-Canapificio, help us to discern and understand the major factors that contribute to their mental health challenges, specifically due to events that happened to them in life.


First and foremost, most were traumatized due to the experiences they had while on their way to Italy. Another factor to this mental health crisis is denial of regular permits to stay in Italy. Mental health is negatively impacted when people are denied permits to stay in Italy, after going through various applications and requests. Many try to alleviate their suffering through the use of alcohol or taking hard substances, which can further harm mental health.


This presentation will also address traditions and beliefs, the impact of stigma and the rejection of society and loved ones, and the draw toward detrimental associations. Centro Sociale has a long history of implementing effective approaches and practices to respond to psychological and physical trauma. I will outline our practices that support mental health and well-being, including, intake and follow-up procedures, welcoming projects, regular appointments in our office to talk with others, reintegration activities, courses, and referrals to health centers, psychologists, and psychiatrists.