More than six million people across Germany suffer from depression every year. Although the illness is widespread, most people know very little about it - which makes life even more difficult for sufferers.
The Alliance Against Depression Weser-Ems wants to change this and, in co-operation with the Karl Jaspers Clinic and the University of Oldenburg, is inviting people to a public information event on Tuesday, 1 December. The event in the university library hall (Haarentor campus, Uhlhornsweg 49-55) begins at 4.15 pm.
Prof. Dr Alexandra Philipsen, Director of the University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, and Wilfried Schumann, Head of the Psychological Counselling Service (PBS) of the University and Student Services, will present the key facts about depression. The focus will be on the various manifestations of depression and treatment with medication and psychotherapy. Topics that relatives and friends are confronted with will also be addressed.
The Alliance against Depression Weser-Ems project was founded in June this year and initiated by the Karl Jaspers Clinic. With around 30 regional supporters, the project will focus on providing information and education about depression in the coming years. To this end, public events will be held in the region to provide information about the illness, its development, recognition and treatment. The organisers are planning over 40 events and campaigns in the Weser-Ems region for 2016. Bündnis gegen Depression Weser-Ems is part of a nationwide initiative, the German Bündnis Depression e.V., which operates under the umbrella of Deutsche Depressionshilfe. There are currently over 70 regional alliances against depression throughout Germany.
Depression is one of the most common and most underestimated illnesses. Every fifth German citizen suffers from depression once in their lifetime. The fact that depression is one of the most widespread diseases has been confirmed by the World Health Organisation: in terms of the degree of impairment and the number of years spent suffering from illness, depression ranks first in developed countries, ahead of other mental and physical illnesses. People suffering from depression are significantly more likely to take early retirement than people with other illnesses.