Depression in Schleswig-Holstein: 318,000 affected and increasing trend!

Depression in Schleswig-Holstein: 318,000 affected and increasing trend!

The depression in Schleswig-Holstein is a growing problem that now affects all age groups. In 2022, 318,000 people aged ten and over were in medical treatment due to depression, which makes alarming 11.9 percent of the population of the northernmost state. This increase has been recorded continuously over the past five years and has reached a troubling maximum. Tom Ackermann, the CEO of the AOK Nordwest, commented on the Situation and noticed that depression not only restricted the quality of life of those affected, but also their relatives.

A new, detailed report, the AOK health atlas, has disclosed regional differences in the frequency of depression in Schleswig-Holstein. While 10.6 percent of the population are treated in the district of North Friesland, the number in the Ostholstein district is particularly high at 13.6 percent. Compared to other federal states, however, the proportion in Schleswig-Holstein is under the nationwide average of 12.5 percent. This raises important questions about health care in these different regions.

age and gender as risk factors

The data show that the frequency of disease increases with age, with women in almost all age groups affecting more than men. Women between 60 and 64 in particular make up over 20 percent, while about every seventh in the men of this group is affected. Interestingly, a slight decline is evident from the age of 65 before the numbers in the higher age groups again increase significantly. The prevalence summit for 80 to 84-year-old women, where almost 26 percent are affected, is particularly worrying.

The economic effects of the disease are also considerable. According to the AOK health atlas, the cost of depression in 2022 was around 9.5 billion euros, which is 2.2 percent of all disease costs. This is more than the cost of heart failure or diabetes. In addition, the indirect costs are added due to absenteeism, which are estimated at around 6.9 billion euros. This is particularly problematic because the groups concerned are mainly employees in social professions.

The analysis also showed that the risk factors for depression are diverse. This includes genetic predispositions, chronic diseases, as well as psychological stress due to stress or traumatic life events. The connection between depression and other diseases such as anxiety disorders and back pain has been determined, whereby regions with many back pain patients usually have a higher rate of depression.

treatment options and new approaches

The AOK Nordwest offers various programs to support those affected. An example is MoodGym, an interactive training program based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and is intended to help users reduce depressive symptoms. Around 175,000 people have registered since the start in 2017.

In addition, there is the AOK family coach Depression, which provides support from diseased people in order to better master everyday life with each other. Furthermore, digital health treatments (Diga) are becoming increasingly important because they can help with self -help and self -management of depressive symptoms.

Despite these progress, there are still many prejudices against mental illnesses. Ackermann emphasizes the need for an open discussion to reduce Stigmata and spread more knowledge about depression in society. This could contribute to the fact that those affected take help more quickly and improve the chances of healing.

Overall, the AOK health atlas shows that depression in Schleswig-Holstein has become a serious health problem that not only affects individual fates, but also has economic consequences that burden the entire health system. AOK Hessen has set itself the task of drawing attention to this problem and offering solutions. A deeper analysis and more information can be found in a detailed report at www.frische-flensburg.de .