Double anniversary in Bad Tölz: Mental health in the spotlight!

Double anniversary in Bad Tölz: Mental health in the spotlight!

On October 13, 2025, a very special anniversary was celebrated in the Tölzer Kurhaus: the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen Mental Health Management Association celebrated its 30th anniversary, while the Mental Health Association of the 17+ supply region can look back on 45 years. Around 70 guests accepted the invitation to take part in this important occasion. Dr. Arnold Torhorst, who opened the celebration, explained that a large number of people with mental illnesses currently live in Bad Tölz and emphasized the need for education and support for those affected. This information comes from Mercury.

The celebrations took place on a symbolic date, World Mental Health Day, and offered those present a varied program: from a panel discussion with those affected, to films, music and singing, to an anniversary cake that rounded off the event. However, the time pressure caused by a wedding in front of the Kurhaus did not dampen the mood.

The path to improvement

The commitment of Dr. Torhorst goes beyond the anniversary. In 1995 he founded a family business that specializes in inclusion services and today has 340 employees at several locations in Bad Tölz. District Council President Thomas Schwarzenberger called the exchange between skilled workers, those affected and their relatives a “trialogue” and at the same time highlighted the shortage of skilled workers as a challenge that needs to be overcome. In 2024, the Upper Bavaria district invested around 59 million euros in the control network's offerings, which shows how seriously the issue is taken.

District Administrator Josef Niedermaier, in turn, focused on the pressing issues of stigmatization of mentally ill people and the financial aspects of support. Stigma is a significant hurdle for many sufferers, who often hesitate to seek help due to shame or fear of the diagnosis. According to a post on Medical Journal This stigmatization is often described as a “second illness” that significantly impairs the quality of life of those affected.

Together against the stigma

As part of the anniversary, reports from members of a self-help group and other affected people were also presented, who impressively reported on the dark side of stigmatization. Almost a billion people worldwide live with mental illness, and social acceptance is therefore a key issue that needs to be improved, according to the WHO's World Mental Health Report. During the current Mental Health Action Week, which takes place annually in mid-October, the topic is comprehensively addressed and strategies are being worked on to reduce stigma.

So something is happening in the area of ​​mental health, but there is still a long way to go. Initiatives such as the Mental Health Action Alliance are committed to long-term education and destigmatization. It is important that all actors – from governments to the media – do their part. The call is clear: let us close the box of prejudices and approach each other with empathy.

The jubilant event in Bad Tölz once again showed how important it is to talk about mental illnesses and to give those affected a voice. At the end of the event there was an opportunity for personal discussions over coffee and cake in order to further promote dialogue and perhaps take the first step on the way to greater acceptance.