On 30 October 2025, Covadonga M. Díaz-Caneja (Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón), Therese van Amelsvoort and Flore Joskin (Maastricht University) visited CPS Giovani in Milan, Italy.

CPS Giovani is one of the youth walk-in centres participating in Intervention 1 of YOUTHreach. These walk-in centres aim to provide young people with easy, early, and friendly access to support when mental health challenges arise. CPS Giovani truly embodies this goal: the service is located in a quiet park, with warm colours, comfortable rooms, and a welcoming atmosphere that helps young people feel safe and understood from the moment they arrive.

CPS Giovani has a long history in prevention and early intervention for youth mental health. It began in 1999, when Prof. Angelo Cocchi and Dr. Anna Meneghelli launched Programma 2000, the first early intervention project in Italy. In 2009, Spazio Giovani opened, and in 2016, the two services merged to form CPS Giovani, now fully dedicated to supporting young people aged 18–25. Today, CPS Giovani works through a multi-component, integrated early intervention model: timely and fast access to care, team-based support, tailored to young people’s needs and strong links with other mental health services, the local municipality, child neuropsychiatry, and youth organizations. It’s a warm support hub for young people navigating mental health challenges.

The YOUTHreach team left inspired and energized, deeply impressed by the centre’s atmosphere, collaborative approach, and dedication to youth empowerment. A warm thank you to our Italian colleagues for the thoughtful welcome and engaging exchange: Dr. Giovanni De Girolamo, Dr. Simona Barbera, Dr. Miriam D’Addazio, Laura Iiozzino (PhD), and Frederick Trisolini (PhD candidate).