OPADE at Nave Italia: The Science of Mental Wellbeing Reaches New Generations

Dr Alessandra Marenna from OPADE inspired students at the ‘Giovanni XXIII’ high school in Salerno during the workshop ‘Star bene mangiando. Il cibo come cura’ (Feeling good by eating well. Food as medicine), highlighting the profound connection between nutrition, the microbiome and the gut-brain.

Jun 05, 2025.

On June 3, 2025, Dr. Alessandra Marenna, one of our leading researchers, had the honor of presenting the OPADE project during a workshop organized for a select group of students from the “Giovanni XXIII” High School in Salerno.

“Star bene mangiando. Il cibo come cura” (Eating Well, Feeling Well. Food as Care) was the title of this educational event, organized by the Fondazione EBRIS, which focused on the link between nutrition, health, and overall well-being. The session featured both practical activities and moments of dialogue and reflection.

The students’ participation in the workshop is part of a broader project selected by the Fondazione Tender to Nave Italia ONLUS, in which they were involved thanks to the initiative of a teacher from their own school.

The project’s central activity is a powerful and immersive experience aboard Nave Italia, the world’s largest brigantine and a vessel of the Italian Navy dedicated to inclusion and educational initiatives.

Beyond the sailing experience, the students are engaged throughout the year in an integrated program focused on the concept of “star bene” — understood as a holistic condition involving three key dimensions: feeling well with oneself, with others, and with the world.

A particular focus is placed on nutrition education: the workshop explored the strong connection between diet, the microbiome, and health, emphasizing how awareness in food choices can significantly impact both physical and mental well-being.

OPADE’s mission resonates deeply with the concept of ‘star bene’:

Feeling good about yourself: By improving the efficacy of antidepressants and personalising treatments, OPADE seeks to increase remission rates and reduce impairment of real-life functioning. By optimising treatment, we enable people to regain their well-being and the ability to lead fulfilling lives.

Feeling good about others and the world: When mental health improves, individuals can relate more effectively to their environment and actively participate in society. OPADE aims to improve diagnostic accuracy for primary prevention and discover new molecular targets for a personalised approach, thereby empowering patients and facilitating better interaction with the world.

This event offered an exceptional opportunity to highlight how the OPADE project aligns perfectly with this noble vision — contributing meaningfully through scientific research, innovation, and a firm commitment to improving mental health.

OPADE’s mission is deeply in harmony with the broader goal of well-being. Presenting our research efforts to such a young audience demonstrated our dedication to innovation and social impact. We remain confident that our work will help transform the landscape of treatment for major depressive disorder, playing an active role in helping more people around the world truly feel well.