Depression in Germany: Saxony has the lowest concern!

Depression in Germany: Saxony has the lowest concern!

In Germany, the numbers to people who suffer from depression continuously increase. According to the current “Health Atlas Germany” of the AOK scientific institute (Wido) from 2022, around 9.49 million people are affected - this corresponds to around 12.5 percent of the population. While the cases have risen steadily in the past five years, an interesting picture is shown when you look at Saxony.

Despite an increase in the diagnosed depression, Saxony is the lowest in the lowest in federal comparison with a prevalence of 11.07 percent. This number represents an increase of 10.15 percent in 2017, which indicates around 409,400 people who have now received the diagnosis.

Zwickau and district of Leipzig focus on

In Saxony there are the lowest rates in Zwickau, where only 10.12 percent of the population suffer from depression. In contrast, the Leipzig district shows the highest prevalence with 12.06 percent, followed by Dresden, where around 10.76 percent are affected - that is around 54,200 people.

The economic costs associated with the disease are another facet that underlines the relevance of depression. According to current reports, there are no cost of 9.5 billion euros. In addition to these direct costs, immense indirect costs also arise due to illness -related absences. The LEIPZIG district is most affected, where the AOK plus insured an average of around 47 days per case. In comparison, cities such as Chemnitz (41 days) and Dresden (40 days) record significantly fewer days off.

Special features by gender and age structure

The statistics also showed that women develop depression much more frequently than men both in Germany and in Saxony. For the 60 to 64 year olds, the proportion is more than 20 percent for women and almost 13 percent for men. A striking increase in the disease is also visible in older women aged 80 and over, where prevalence reaches 21.9 percent. Men, on the other hand, have a maximum number of 14.2 percent in the same age group.

Risk factors play a crucial role in the development of depression. The main factors include stressful life events such as divorces, the loss of relatives or trauma through violence. Chronic stress, especially at the workplace, is also a significant risk factor. It is important that employers promote the mental well -being of their employees, for example through a higher scope for choice and the possibility of developing.

In contrast, a lower frequency of depression can be observed in adolescents between 10 and 14 years. However, this picture shifts with increasing age, so that the disease increases in higher age groups.

Various institutions offer support in order to counter the problem of depression. One example is the company health management of the AOK Plus, which supports around 700 companies in Saxony and Thuringia. Absent times analyzes and health surveys are carried out to help companies take effective measures to improve mental health.

In addition, insured persons can take part in health courses free of charge several times a year, which deal with stress management, healthy nutrition and exercise. A special highlight is the online program Moodgym, which comes from the Australian National University developers and was adapted to the German market in cooperation with the University of Leipzig. It offers help to prevent and reduce depressive symptoms, but does not replace professional medical help.

Another important component is the family coach Depression of the AOK, which offers support from people with depression. This online program is free of charge and anonymously accessible and aims to help relatives to better master everyday life with a depressed person. Users do not have to be insured with the AOK, which opens access to this important help for everyone interested.

These comprehensive approaches to support those affected and their relatives show how seriously the topic of depression is taken in Saxony and what measures are taken to improve the quality of life of those affected and to raise awareness. The collected data illustrates the need to continuously educate mental illnesses and offer help not only to support the growing number of those affected, but also to work actively preventively.