Darrick Robles Around every fifth German between the ages of 18 and 65 suffers from depression at least once in his life. The number of people affected has increased during the Corona crisis. At the same time, depressed people were even more severely affected by the psychological consequences of the pandemic . Unfortunately, not everyone gets the support they need. More than every fifth person affected does not get a treatment appointment.
“Even if it is difficult to talk about psychological problems such as anxiety and depression , those affected should confide in someone,” explains Med-Healths doctor Dr. Rhianna McClymont. “There is a lot of support available. But it is important that you take the first step and have the courage to talk to someone about it.”
Address mental health issues with friends and family
“Maybe you worry about being a burden to your family or about being judged by others. Talking about feelings can be difficult. However, one must not forget that the people who are closest to one are often the most valuable source of help,” says psychologist Dr. Cecilia Radecka. “We often underestimate how much our loved ones can help us.”
1. Be as open and honest as possible
Talk about your feelings: Then others can understand what you are going through. The other person cannot read your mind and cannot feel your feelings. The more you tell about yourself, the easier it is for others to understand the situation. If you find it difficult to describe your feelings, you can show him or her an article from a website.
2. Think about what you want to get out of the conversation
Explaining to your family or friends what you’d like to get out of the conversation will help them understand how best to help you—whether it’s just listening, providing emotional support, or offering practical help.
3. Don’t expect too much from a first conversation
Although mental health issues are very common, they can sometimes be difficult to understand. But maybe you will also find out in this way that the other person has had similar experiences or knows someone who has had them. This can help you feel less alone. Give the other person time to process what has been said. Then you can talk about it again later.
conversation starts
Some ways to start a conversation with friends or family include: B:
- “I haven’t been feeling so well lately.”
- “I’m not particularly well. Can I talk to you about it?”
- “I’m having some issues at the moment and it would do me good if someone would listen to me.”
Discuss mental health issues with your doctor
Talking to friends and family alone doesn’t always help. Sometimes it is better to seek professional help.
Doctors have an open ear for you and can advise you on treatment and support options. You know mental illness, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Mental illnesses are now the third most common reason for incapacity to work – this was determined by the umbrella organization of company health insurance companies in its 2020 health report.
“In some cases, a doctor’s visit may even be necessary – for example, if physical symptoms occur or you need a sick note,” says Dr. Radecka. An initial consultation with your family doctor can also help with depression or anxiety disorders.
Good to know: With the appointment service of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, you can get short-term appointments with psychotherapists in your area – for an initial consultation and an initial therapeutic assessment.
1. Write down what you want to say
Before the appointment, write down what you want to talk about. These can be questions you want to ask or bullet points that express how you are feeling. That way, you’ll have notes to refer to if you suddenly don’t know what to say during your appointment.
2. Don’t hesitate to ask for more details
Your doctor should discuss various treatment options with you. Talk therapy is recommended in some cases, while drug therapy may be necessary in others. Please provide more information if necessary.
3. Be honest about how you feel
The doctor’s appointment is your opportunity to talk about all of your symptoms. If your doctor thinks your work is having a negative impact on your mental health or that you would benefit from some time off, he or she may give you sick leave. The doctor will assess your symptoms, make an individual diagnosis and, if necessary, issue you with a corresponding sick note.
conversation starts
If you go to a doctor’s appointment or a psychotherapeutic consultation, an important step has already been taken. Here are some good ways to start your conversation:
- “I’ve felt like this for X days/weeks.”
- “I would like to know what treatment options are available or what I can do myself.”
Discuss mental health issues with your employer
Your mental health can affect all areas of your life—including your work. Many are reluctant to raise a mental health issue in the workplace for fear of being judged negatively, not being taken seriously, or even being fired. A US study found that nearly 60% of workers have never discussed their mental health with anyone in the workplace.
“A conversation with the employer in such a situation takes effort, especially when it comes to psychological stress,” says Dr. Radecka. “But when we avoid things we fear, we tend to reinforce our negative thought construct.”
In most cases, employers appreciate it if you address your feelings, and they will understand.
1. Decide who you talk to first
“Anyone who suffers from work-related stress should contact their employer first,” says Dr. McClymont. If your employer can improve working conditions, you may not even need to see a doctor.
However, if your problems are unrelated to the job, it is better to consult your doctor first. A medical certificate is helpful in explaining your situation to your employer, especially if you need permanent sick leave.
2. Be clear about what you want to get out of the conversation
Maybe you can change something yourself, or certain changes in the workplace are possible so that you can cope better with your workload and are exposed to less mental stress. You should write down such points so that you can discuss them. These include e.g. B. Time off for doctor appointments or therapy sessions, changes in your working hours or your area of responsibility.
3. Find the right contact person
Talk to the human resource representative if you don’t feel comfortable talking to your manager. It is your decision whether and with whom in the company you want to talk to. Make sure that the conversation takes place in a place where nobody will disturb you and where you feel comfortable.
conversation starts
Talking to bosses about a mental health issue can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. You can start with these sentences:
- “I’d like to talk to you about something in peace – do you have time for a chat?”
- “I’m not doing very well at the moment. Perhaps you have already noticed that. I’d like to talk to you about it.”
Mental crisis: You can get help here
In an acute crisis, you should definitely seek professional help. What you can do in a crisis situation:
- Visit or call your doctor’s office .
- Outside office hours: Call the medical on-call service on 116 117 .
- Contact the telephone counseling service on 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222 (around the clock, free of charge and anonymous).
- If you are at serious risk of harming yourself: Go to the nearest hospital emergency room . The doctors there are experienced in providing mental health assistance. In an emergency dial 112.
