Free information evening: Understanding and combating depression in children!

Free information evening: Understanding and combating depression in children!

The mental health of children and young people has become increasingly important in recent years. Worries and fears have increased in this age group, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Listlessness, sadness and melancholy are common among young people and can mask serious problems such as depression. To shed more light on this topic, a free online information evening will take place on Monday, December 1, 2025, organized by Prof. Dr. Carolin Donath from the Psychiatric and Psychotherapeutic Clinic at Erlangen University Hospital in cooperation with the Herder-Gymnasium Forchheim. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. and is aimed at parents, young people and anyone interested.

The content of the event will be symptoms, prevention and support options for psychological stress. Prof. Donath will pay particular attention to the warning signs that parents should pay attention to and also present scientifically based options for help. An important part of the evening concerns the presentation of the study “BooSt – Boulder yourself strong: Boulder psychotherapy against depression and stress”. This study aims to teach young people between the ages of 13 and 18 skills such as self-confidence, calmness and emotional stability in therapeutically supported bouldering groups.

Study situation and challenges

A large number of studies demonstrate the importance of early detection and treatment of depression in adolescents. According to the BELLA study, many children and young people in Germany suffer from mental illnesses, often associated with an increased risk of suicide, as the studies by Ravens-Sieberer et al. (2007) and Balazs et al. (2013) show. Girls are particularly affected, as they suffer from depressive symptoms about twice as often as boys. An analysis of the prevalence and comorbidities of depression by Hoffmann et al. (2012) further illustrates that mental illnesses are increasing among young people, especially after pandemic-related restrictions.

The various anxiety disorders that also commonly emerge in adolescence can present additional challenges. These disorders require differentiated therapeutic approaches, especially when combined with depression. Over 60% of adolescents with depression also show symptoms of anxiety disorders, highlighting the need for holistic treatment.

Nights and therapeutic approaches

The symptoms of major depression, such as fatigue, sleep disorders and feelings of guilt, contribute significantly to the impairment of quality of life. The challenges should not be underestimated: Statistics show that 30% of young people with major depression have suicidal thoughts and 10.8% have already attempted suicide. Therapists recommend multimodal interventions that include both psychotherapy and possibly medication. Involving the family in the therapeutic process can increase the chances of success.

The new bouldering groups, which will be launched in Erlangen, Nuremberg, Bamberg and Regensburg in January and May 2026, offer a cheap opportunity for young people to receive support and exchange ideas with others. Participation in the study is free and registrations are already open. Those interested can contact: boulderdichstark.de inform.

For further information about the online information evening and boulder psychotherapy, those interested can contact Prof. Dr. Reach Carolin Donath directly on 09131 85-34526 or by email at boulderdichstark.ps(at)uk-erlangen.de.

Actions like these make an important contribution to education and support at a time when the mental health of young people is more in focus than ever. Early intervention could help young people lead healthy and fulfilling lives.