In the BASTA project, high school graduates deal with mental illnesses

Created: 04/07/2022, 1:00 p.m

The students of the 13th class of the FOS Holzkirchen and their teacher Silke Firmbach listened with interest to the explanations of the psychiatrist Michael Landgrebe and Walter Schäl, who was suffering from a burnout.

© kbo Lech Mangfall Clinics

At the FOS Holzkirchen, high school graduates have dealt with mental illnesses as part of the Bavaria-wide BASTA project.

To counteract the stigma of the mentally ill.

Holzkirchen - In the classroom of the Fachoberschule (FOS) Holzkirchen it is dead quiet.

The 13th graders listen attentively as Maria B. talks about her schizophrenia.

About how her illness started.

What it's like when you hear voices.

And how she manages her everyday life.

Maria B., a middle-aged lady, came to the FOS as part of the Bavarian Anti-Stigma Campaign (BASTA).

The aim of the initiative, which was launched more than 20 years ago, is to educate schoolchildren about mental illnesses and thus break the taboos on psychoses, delusions and depression.

This should make it clear that those affected do not have to be ashamed.

The Holzkirchner FOS is one of ten schools across the district that are currently participating in BASTA.

The project gives students the opportunity to ask questions from stakeholders and experts;

the young people get insights into the emotional life of the mentally ill and into the work of psychologists;

and they learn where to get help should they ever become mentally ill themselves.

In addition to Maria B., Walter Schäl also answered the students' questions.

The now 81-year-old former IT management consultant suffered a burnout many years ago.

With the help of psychotherapy, he got his life back under control.

He says: "So that young people are protected from such fates, we enlighten them and take away their fear of seeking help in good time."

Professor Michael Landgrebe was also there.

The psychiatrist is chief physician at the kbo-Lech-Mangfall-Klinik Agatharied and has been speaking at BASTA for the fourth time.

He explained the background and treatment options.

"Participation in the school project is particularly important to me because mental illnesses are on the increase and because schoolchildren are also affected." It is not uncommon for learning stress to lead to mental disorders.

In particular, depression, anxiety disorders or drug use could be the result, says Landgrebe.

What they heard made an impression on the students.

In the final round, it became clear that the young people otherwise hardly have any contact with the mentally ill;

and they received questions upon answers not found on the Internet.

Schizophrenia has become more tangible, especially the symptom of hearing voices.

It was interesting for the students to be able to ask a psychiatrist questions - for example how he deals with the suicide of patients.

BASTA

Anyone interested in the Bavarian Anti-Stigma Action (BASTA) can contact Walter Schäl on z 01 57 / 5 23 742 40.

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