Mental health in Bavaria: Ansbach below average for depression!

Mental health in Bavaria: Ansbach below average for depression!

Ansbach, October 10, 2024 - Mental health in Bavaria shows significant regional differences. According to the latest “Health Atlas Germany” of the AOK scientific institute (Wido), around 1.51 million people in Bavaria were affected by depression in 2022. This proportion is 12.59 percent of the total population and thus exceeds the nationwide average of 12.52 percent.

In the Ansbach district, however, the situation is more positive: The proportion of depressive ill people is 11.4 percent below the Bavarian average. Michael Surowka, director of the AOK in Middle Franconia, said that there were big differences within the federal state. For example, 16.6 percent of the population in Nuremberg fulfill depression, while only 9.3 percent are affected in the Unterallgäu. This distribution suggests that a higher prevalence of depression can be observed, especially in the north and east of Bavaria.

absenteeism due to depression

An interesting key figure is the absence of the workplace. In the district of Ansbach, the average absenteeism due to depression in 2022 was a total of 42 days for AOK insured employees. This is slightly above the Bavarian average of 40 days. Despite a lower proportion of depressive diseases, more than more employees in the district are ill.

AOK Bayern therefore relies on prevention measures to promote mental health and support companies in this area. Last year, the health insurance fund was able to work with over 2,200 companies and carry out more than 5,300 measures to promote company health (BGF). "We have achieved over 675,000 employees through these initiatives, with the offers to strengthen mental health increasingly important," says Surowka.

• The AOK continuously offers new online offers on the "Soul Soul" platform.
• This includes courses such as "cyber prevention" and "stress under control".
• new has been added to the Balloon app, which is supposed to help people relax and practice mindfulness.

These initiatives show the efforts of the AOK to prevent preventive and to offer affected paths to improve their mental health. The use of digital tools and programs can make an important contribution to coping with stress and reducing depressive symptoms.

For more information, the AOK health atlas can be viewed at aok health athlas Germany