Psychiatrists condemn Schettino speech

(ANSA) Rome, Aug. 7 - The Italian Psychiatrists' Society on Thursday joined in the chorus of outrage over former Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino speaking on panic management at a course organised by professor of Rome's La Sapienza University.
    Emilio Sacchetti, chairman of the psychiatrists' association Sip, expressed its "disdainful incredulity for an event that violates the most elementary ethical principles that should accompany teaching." Mental disturbances in general are too important and often too dramatic to be dealt with "in a sterile, spectacular fashion based on creative ignorance," he added.
    "The Sip can't help but note with regret that there was an audience for a university course with a clinical subject about which Francesco Schettino was lecturing - perhaps some students are more interested in appearances than learning," Sacchetti snorted.
    The professor who organised the July 5 lecture at the ancient university by Schettino, Prof. Vincenzo Mastronardi, may face disciplinary proceedings, La Sapienza has said.