‎THE Italian Ambassador to Tanzania, Giuseppe Sean Coppola has called on stakeholders to take a proactive lead in expanding mental health services to combat the rising tide of social media bullying.

‎Speaking over the weekend, Ambassador Coppola highlighted that advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have inadvertently created new vulnerabilities, with children, persons with disabilities, and women being the primary targets of digital harassment.

‎The envoy made these remarks during the inauguration of a specialised mental health services wing at the Antonia Verna Rehabilitation Centre in Kawe, Dar es Salaam.

‎The launch of the new wing coincided with the seventh anniversary of the centre’s dedicated service to children with disabilities from disadvantaged backgrounds.

‎“The extension of services, from taking care of children with disabilities to offering mental health counseling support for Dar es Salaam residents—reflects the Centre’s holistic approach to sustaining social healthcare and building a coherent community,” said Ambassador Coppola.

‎He noted that since its inception, the Antonia Verna Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program has worked tirelessly with families to promote inclusion, rehabilitation, and empowerment.

‎The non-profit center, under the custodianship of the Catholic Church and in collaboration with the Italian-based Comunità Solidali nel Mondo, currently supports nearly 1,000 children with disabilities across its centers in Dar es Salaam and Mbeya.

‎"The opening of the new mental health space represents an important milestone for community coherence in times where people face devastating life challenges that negatively affect their mental health," Fr. Mpwaji stated.

‎Sr. Angela Jeremiah, the centre’s director, explained that the decision to expand was driven by an urgent community need for accessible emotional support. The new wing will provide:

‎Professional counseling: For caregivers and community members.

‎Emotional support groups: To foster resilience among families.

‎Awareness Programs: Focused on psychological well-being and the risks of digital bullying.

‎"This service expansion reflects a deep commitment to addressing not only physical rehabilitation but also emotional and psychological wellbeing," Sr. Angela asserted. She added that the anniversary serves as a "renewed commitment to walk alongside families in their journey."

‎As the center marks seven years of impact, it continues to serve as a vital platform for strengthening partnerships and reaffirming the collective responsibility to build more inclusive and supportive communities in Tanzania.