Depression in young people: alarming increase in Brandenburg!

Depression in young people: alarming increase in Brandenburg!

Alarming messages from the Uckermark! More and more young people are fighting with the dark dark side of the psyche: depression. According to Markus Heckmann from the Barmer, the Situation has dramatically intensified. A current evaluation of the Institute for Health System Research shows that around 6,600 young people between the ages of five and 24 were affected in Brandenburg in 2018. But the numbers have risen terrifyingly: last year there were almost 9,900! A shocking increase of around 50 percent in just six years!

The massive increase since the outbreak of corona pandemic in 2020 is particularly alarming. "It is highly worrying that more and more young people are suffering from depression," warns Gabriela Leyh, the state manager. The symptoms are often diverse and difficult to recognize, even for relatives who worry about their loved ones.

Digital help for those affected

In order to counteract this worrying development, the Barmer has launched free digital "mental first aid" seminars in cooperation with the German Depression Aid Foundation and suicide prevention. These are aimed at young people and young adults and are intended to help recognize the first signs of mental stress. The participants learn how to deal with the challenges and take advantage of professional help.

Girls and young women are particularly affected, whose number has increased by about 57 percent. The increase in boys and young men is 36 percent. The evaluation shows that the number of young people with depression has increased in all federal states between 2018 and 2023, with Saxony-Anhalt taking the sad top with an increase of 51 percent. With an increase of around 50 percent, Berlin is also above the national average of 30 percent. The situation is serious and requires immediate measures!