Roman Dog

 The accommodations for Italian dogs are so fancy that it could put any upscale hotels for humans to shame. The private lawn (or pool) is hardly a common perk even in nice hotels. 

Rooms — with underfloor cooling — are suffused with aromatic oils such as lavender, tea-tree and mint and each has a private lawn. The property offers arnica massages, a communal garden where guests can mingle and large screens for video calls with faraway loved ones.

It is a telling sign of the psychological climate in Italy, rise in anxiety, stress, and feelings of uncertainty among its people. Economic pressures, political instability, and concerns over the future contribute to a general atmosphere of worry and unease, as folks struggle to adapt to rapid changes in society and the workplace. These factors, combined with lingering effects from previous crises, have amplified concerns about mental wellbeing across different demographics. When we were in Tuscany a couple of years ago, seeing completely shuttered homes and near ghost town villages became so common a sight, that it was surprising to see the bustle of everyday activity in some of the smaller towns that were still thriving mainly due to tourism.

It seems that Italians experience difficulty expressing their mental health struggles due to cultural stigmas and limited access to quality support services. Although awareness of mental health is slowly improving, traditional attitudes often lead people to internalize stress or avoid seeking professional help. This results in widespread feelings of isolation and frustration, particularly among younger generations facing job insecurity and older adults navigating the pressures of retirement in a changing society.

This story reflects broader global trends of increasing psychological strain and the growing need for accessible, community-based support. Initiatives in some cities to prioritize mental health offer hope, but the narrative in this case remains one of a nation grappling with profound personal and collective uncertainty, searching for ways to build resilience and create a more supportive environment for those affected.