Film screening: Focus on the quiet screams of addicted children!

Film screening: Focus on the quiet screams of addicted children!

Tirschenreuth, Deutschland - What moves people in Mitterteich? On June 30, 2025, a remarkable film screening and specialist discussion on the subject of "Children's addicted parents" took place in the cinema. Almost 80 interested and pedagogical specialists accepted the invitation of the Social Service of the Tirschenreuth Health Office to deal with the realities of life of children in stressful families.

The short film shown tells the story of eleven -year -old Niklas, who is confronted every day with his mother's alcohol dependence on his father and gambling addiction. The desperate father Rudi is desperately looking for the lost family happiness at the slot machine, while Niklas is often alone with his mother. This impressive presentation opened the viewer: Inside the eyes for the inner conflicts of the children, who between loyalty and the urge to escape from their stressful situation.

an important exchange

director and author Lars Smekal, who himself has experience with the topic, traveled from Mainz especially to share his autobiographical experiences and raise important questions. Not to look away his appeal to social responsibility, especially with risky consumption near children, met with open ears. District Administrator Roland Grillmeier and Marion Neumann, head of the advice center for children, adolescents and parents Tirschenreuth, emphasized the need for support offers that can be used anonymously.

In view of the current challenges, the question arises: How can children of addicted parents be better supported? According to the German main office for addiction questions ( DHS ), there are already various help offers that are implemented in advice centers and self-help associations. This support is provided by both full -time and volunteer forces in addiction aid. The cooperation between addiction aid, child and youth welfare area and the health sector is considered essential to meet the families concerned.

early support is crucial

Over 220,000 children in Hesse live with an addictive parent, and 30 to 40 percent of them could develop an addiction problem themselves. The hls (Hessian State Office for Addiction Questions) has already launched several initiatives to target this problem. This includes brochures for the early support and sensitization of specialists in various institutions so that affected children receive the help they urgently need.

The interaction of various actors is particularly important to offer children a trusting contact point in difficult life situations. Be it in the family environment, in the circle of friends or in institutions such as schools and sports clubs - the role of the confidants is of the utmost importance. Reference is also made to the legal framework, which has firmly anchored a protection mandate in the event of a child's welfare.

The event in the cinema Angerlichtspiele was a step in the right direction to put the urgency of the topic into the public awareness and to give the affected children a voice. The clear messages of Lars Smekal and the other participants were perceived, and the professional exchange contributed to creating an open ear for the challenges in addicted families.