Mental crises can hit anyone at any time and tear them out of life.
For many sick people, however, the feeling of shame is too great to go to the doctor with their problems.
The social psychiatric service in Starnberg can help - clients can get support anonymously and over the phone.
And that has been the case for 30 years now.
Starnberg
- The life of a mother of two from the district has changed a lot in the past six months. Her husband is withdrawing more and more from everyday family life, renting his own apartment and buying an expensive sports car. Suspicion: depression. Every week the woman calls the social psychiatric service in Starnberg (SPDI). "Here she can talk and we listen," says Claudia Werner, who runs the facility together with Regina Klusch. "We support and advise."
The SPDI, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary today, is not only an offer for relatives, but also for those affected. All citizens who have problems with a mental illness can contact Claudia Werner and her team and seek help. “When people get into a crisis, they often no longer understand themselves. We catch them and give them the feeling that they are okay the way they are, ”says Werner. What defines the social psychiatric service in Starnberg: "You can report anonymously here even without a health insurance card," says the psychologist. The offer is financed by the district of Upper Bavaria. In contrast to psychotherapy, no therapy plan has to be drawn up, no successes have to be proven, and there is also no performance agreement with the health insurance fund.Another plus point: "Every client gets an appointment within a week," says Werner.
The service is located at Kaiser-Wilhelm-Strasse 18. Most of the people who come suffer from depression. “This is the disease that takes up the most space with more than 50 percent.” In addition, there are diseases such as schizophrenia or borderline syndrome. In the past few years, the proportion of multidimensional diseases has also increased. "This means that clients are not only ill with depression, for example, but also have difficulties in the family or physical problems," says Werner.
In general, there is an increase in the number of mentally ill people.
“We started with four employees.
We are now twelve, ”says the psychologist.
In recent years, the complexity of diseases, the stress level and digitization have increased.
"We live in a society in which everything has to go much faster than it did 30 years ago."
Social workers and psychologists take care of those affected in telephone conversations, but also in on-site appointments and with video calls.
“A recovery companion supports us,” says Werner.
The woman helps clients with the experience of her own mental illness.
The job at the social psychiatric service is not always easy.
The employees have around 4,000 contacts per year.
“Everything is included.
Initial discussions, house calls, phone calls, ”says the psychologist.
"You have to have an open ear and an open heart with every client."
The work becomes particularly difficult when death comes into play.
Suicides are rare, but they do happen.
“Everyone has to learn not to take it home with them.” For five years, the SPDI has been part of the Psychiatry Crisis Service in the Upper Bavaria district.
In teams of two, Werner and her colleagues support the police and, in extreme situations, assess the risk of people harming themselves.
Therefore, once a month there is also supervision for the employees of the social psychiatric service, and the colleagues also exchange ideas.
Although the offer has been used more and more in recent years, many citizens are still ashamed.
“If those affected have managed to come to us, then they are incredibly relieved.” Incidentally, women find it easier to seek help.
The gender distribution of the clients is balanced, however.
Some sufferers only use the social psychiatric service for a few phone calls, others for several years.
Every second Tuesday Werner and her colleagues offer an open group offer.
In addition, clients can take part in impulse lectures, movement groups and a choir.
"A few have been coming for 30 years, they feel comfortable and welcomed here."
Celebration for the anniversary
The social psychiatric service celebrates its 30th anniversary this Friday, July 2nd. A musical prayer is planned for 1 p.m. in the Evangelical Peace Church.