In an interview, the Dorfen-based social worker Katja Schögle reports on the needs of mentally ill people.
Dorfen
- Whether depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders or eating disorders - mental illnesses are still a taboo subject.
On the occasion of the “Mental Health Week”, Katja Schögle from the Social Psychiatric Service of Caritas speaks about the precarious situation in which those affected find themselves.
“It is so difficult for my clients in our system.
They are so lovable and full of innovative ideas, ”says the social worker (51) from Dorfen.
Ms. Schögle, can a mental illness affect anyone?
No one is immune from a crisis, but basically anyone can also get serious psychiatric illnesses.
We live in a society in which a person's worth is measured by their gainful employment.
Even at school, the children are trained to perform.
Many cannot withstand the stress and pressure.
Personal fates can also throw people off course.
Some of our clients had difficult childhoods, others had traumatic experiences.
Psychological dispositions can also be inherited.
They take care of people with mental illnesses who live in their own apartment, also here in Dorfen.
This is called outpatient assisted living.
Several times a week I make house calls, accompany those affected to the doctor, to offices or authorities - often over many years.
We have 27 places in the district - there are currently 15 more people on the waiting list.
How do you help specifically?
I support you in establishing social contacts, advise on the subject of work, daily structure and employment.
My clients are very lonely and their participation in social life is severely restricted.
Why are mentally ill people outside?
Those affected withdraw.
The feeling of shame is increased by the difficult financial situation.
The course of illness in psychiatric diagnoses is protracted.
This means social benefits such as unemployment benefit II - and that means poverty.
Those who live in poverty have little quality of life.
The overall situation promotes physical illnesses, which in turn affect the psyche.
A vicious circle.
Do their clients have no family members to take care of?
Often the family does not live nearby.
Sometimes relatives have no strength left after years of illness - families break as a result, as does friendships.
There is still great uncertainty when dealing with the mentally ill.
Many people have reservations about the sick.
There is also always a lack of understanding and allegations.
It is often said: “He just doesn't want to.” It is not seen that the person concerned simply cannot.
Is depression now something of a widespread disease?
Depression is no longer as taboo as other mental illnesses - burnout has become more familiar.
But it still applies: You can be physically ill, but not be mentally ill.
There is a lack of education.
Prevention is important.
Only if we start to think seriously about the causes of mental illness and also to talk about them can we prevent some of them in advance.
People with mental health problems are not resilient, right?
Decide for yourself. I was on the S-Bahn with some clients, we were going to an event in Munich.
They talked about the common claim that the mentally ill are not resilient.
I quote what those affected said: “What we go through for years, what prejudices we encounter and what fears we have, nobody can imagine.
But we don't give up, we want to lead a self-determined life.
And for that we need a lot of power and strength every day. "
The interview was conducted by Michaele Heske.
Mental Health Week
From October 8th to 18th, this year's Mental Health Week focuses on families.
Under the motto "Together over the mountains - Mental health in the family", numerous events will take place nationwide, both digitally and live on site, and will provide information about a variety of prevention and help offers.
Information on www.seelischegesundheit.net