Students, opposition present bill for school psychologists

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 15 - Italy's main opposition parties on Friday teamed up with unions representing university students and middle-school pupils to present a bill for the introduction of free psychological support for young people at public education institutes.
    The bill is signed by members of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), the 5-Star Movement (M5S) and the Green-Left Alliance (AVS) and was drafted with the Union of University Students (UDU) and the Network of Middle School Pupils (RSM - Rete degli Studenti Medi).
    It was presented on Friday as March 15 is the Italian national day to raise awareness about eating disorders.
    "We denounce the fact that Italy is the only European country not to have the figure of the psychologist in its school system," said UDU and RSM.
    "Yet almost 10% of girls and 1% of boys in Italy suffer from anorexia or bulimia. Today we ask the Government and Parliament to act quickly.
    "Our bill is still pending examination of the Lower House's Culture Committee and we ask for it to be approved quickly in order to have psychological, psychotherapy and counseling services in schools and universities". (ANSA).