Lunatici — Mental Health Escape Room and Festival

An escape room to talk about mental health

Born from an idea by the A.M.A. Association of Trento, Lunatici is an original project that uses the language of play to address a topic that is as important as it is often silenced: youth mental health. The heart of the initiative is an educational escape room set in a dreamlike, surreal world, designed as a metaphor for the human inner self. Unlike traditional escape rooms, the goal here is not just to solve puzzles: guided by a professional educator, participants move through thematic rooms that symbolize the challenges of growing up and inner life.

The experience lasts about two hours, divided into one hour of gameplay and a final debriefing session, where the experience is processed to foster awareness and introspection. Admission is free with mandatory booking: morning sessions are reserved for schools, while in the afternoon, groups of 6 to 12 people are formed.

A widespread festival in Trentino

Surrounding the escape room is a true widespread festival, with dozens of events distributed across the municipalities of Trento, Lavis, and Rovereto. The program includes talks, exhibitions, workshops, and meetings with writers, mental health professionals, and artists: diverse languages and perspectives that intertwine to discuss psychological well-being without filters or prejudice.

Aimed at young people aged 14 and up, high school and university students, as well as families, teachers, and citizens, the festival aims to reduce the stigma still surrounding psychological disorders and encourage seeking help. This is far from an abstract goal: according to data cited by the organizers, nearly half of young people between 18 and 25 have reported experiencing episodes of anxiety or depression.

Who organizes Lunatici

The project is conceived and coordinated by the A.M.A. (Self-Help) Association of Trento and is co-organized and supported by the Caritro Foundation and the Rotary Valli Trentine, with the support of the Municipality of Lavis and the Municipality of Trento, and the collaboration of a vast network of local partners. The initiative is part of the cultural and social landscape of the Trentino-Alto Adige region, where the issue of youth mental health is receiving increasing attention.

An experience that combines culture and well-being

Lunatici represents an innovative way of promoting culture and prevention: it puts listening, dialogue, and participation at the center, transforming a delicate topic into an opportunity for collective growth. The combination of play, reflection, and public meetings makes it a benchmark event for the Trentino region in the field of social engagement and mental health awareness.