Annual General Meeting of the RSV: Together against the Stigma of mental illnesses!

Annual General Meeting of the RSV: Together against the Stigma of mental illnesses!

Landshut, Deutschland - What's new from the region? Last Thursday, the Annual General Meeting of the Regional Control Association (RSV) took place in Landshut, to which around 40 participants from psychosocial care came together. The first chairman, Dr. Kathrin Dornes, welcomed those present and opened a discussion about the urgently needed changes in dealing with mental illnesses.

deputy district administrator Fritz Wittmann once again took the importance of mental health at the center of his speech. He spoke about progress in perception of psychological ailments, but also mentions the continuing challenges. According to the current data of the WHO, over 150 million people with mental illnesses live in the European region, with only a third of them receive the necessary care. This is a sobering number that once again illustrates the need for action-especially against the background that the Covid 19 pandemic has plunged many people into a psychological crisis.

breakdown of stigmas and increasing requirements

is significant the promising reduction of the stigma of mental illnesses, which is often referred to as the “second illness”. Stigmatization can significantly burden the life of those affected - shame and fear often lead to not looking for the necessary help, which increases the risk of their chronification. The annual general meeting emphasized this topic as the central point of progress in the RSV, which has been committed to reforming psychosocial care since its foundation 50 years ago. At the same time, the number of those affected increases, which makes the efforts to improve the supply structures all the more urgent.

The RSV is planning three campaign days as part of its anniversary year in October, which will take place in the Kinopolis Landshut and in Salzstadel. The events not only aim to draw attention to mental illnesses, but also to give a special appreciation of the psychiatric team through artistic representations such as the play "All Beautiful". In the cinema, films are shown that deal with mental issues and thus make an important contribution to awareness.

a strong network for those affected

The RSV is committed to developing suggestions to improve the regional care structure and forwarding them to political decision -makers. Due to the expansion of outpatient treatment offers, the duration of inpatient treatments was shortened or even avoided - a real profit for everyone affected.

The working groups in the RSV, which deal with topics such as addiction, children and adolescents and the support of mentally ill parents, reported on their activities and progress. This shows how important the exchange between experts and the payers for the further development of the help offers. Guest speaker Tobias Zitzelsberger, Managing Director of PSAG Deggendorf, presented the role of social work in the context of mental health in his lecture on "Social work throughout the time - social psychiatry and profession" and stimulates thinking about the changes that are necessary to act effectively.

A look at the numbers shows the urgency of these topics, because according to the WHO/Europa Report, the number of people who suffer from mental illnesses, especially due to stressful living conditions, social inequalities and the covid 19 episodes. The use of the RSV and the initiatives of the WHO as well as the presented action alliance of mental health are crucial to address these challenges and to change the social attitude towards mental illnesses.

The commitment of local actors in the Landshut region is an important step in the right direction. Let us ensure that awareness of mental health in our society grows and that help arrives where it is needed.