2023-05-07 11:00:29
Organizer IDEE Austria: “It is high time for a more open approach to mental illness.”
Vienna (OTS) – On the day of inclusion on May 5th, the interest group for mental health IDEE Austria organized a so-called Living Library event in Vienna. Those affected told as “living books” regarding their way out of the mental crisis. IDEE Austria calls for the destigmatization of mental illnesses and creates a safe space for those affected and their families.
Today’s Inclusion Day in Vienna’s Billrothhaus was all regarding mental health. Relatives, those affected and those interested might borrow a so-called “living book” from a “living library” and enter into a dialogue with it for a fixed period of time. A total of ten people with different experiences of crisis told as living books regarding their personal way out of the mental crisis.
The organizer IDEE Austria calls for the destigmatization of mental illnesses and creates an open space for those affected and their relatives.
“More and more people in Austria are mentally stressed. At the same time, many are reluctant to talk regarding their illnesses. They hold back their illness, feel like failures, are also afraid of being excluded in family or work or even losing their job. However, we know from our day-to-day work that a mental crisis can affect anyone. It is high time for a more open approach to mental illness in Austria.”
says IDEE Austria Chairman Elmar Kennerth.
In a video message, Health Minister Johannes Rauch also emphasized that many people are affected by mental stress or illness. “Nevertheless, stigmatization due to mental illness and its consequences is still clear. Breaking the taboo on mental stress and strengthening psychosocial health are very important to me personally.”
so Rauch.
Exchange with those affected gives hope and confidence
39 percent of people in Austria were affected by mental illnesses in the past or present in 2020. Children and young people in particular have been heavily burdened by the pandemic, war and economic crises of recent years and need support. According to a study in 2021, every sixth student aged 14 and over in Austria is thinking regarding suicide, and every second student has signs of depression.
One such youngster was the 37-year-old Oana Iusco from Graz. As an 18-year-old, she was repeatedly hospitalized following several suicide attempts. The prognosis of the doctors: Because of her mental illnesses, she will not be able to lead an independent and stable life. However, Oana managed to do just that. Today she feels healthy and has a better quality of life than ever before. She works as a trained peer counselor at the self-help organization Achterbahn Steiermark and supports young adults with mental illnesses. As a living book, she shared her road to recovery at today’s event: “For me personally, the most important thing was to free myself from my self-blame. There is often an embarrassing feeling of pressure when you have a mental illness or receive a diagnosis. You are convinced that you are doing badly because you did something wrong. I often see that the moment you share these feelings, the pressure falls off your shoulders. That’s what makes events like this so important, because you can exchange ideas. You no longer feel like an alien, but instead gain courage, hope and strength.”
Politics is required: More peer and self-help offers as well as existential security
Events like “Living Books Tell Stories” can be a first step towards dealing more openly with mental illnesses. But politics is also required. In Austria there are still dramatic supply gaps. There are currently around 156 panel doctors for psychiatry in Austria. This means that on average one psychiatrist takes care of a population of 58,000 people (a city like St. Pölten). According to the ÖSG (Austrian structure plan for health), a supply density of around 35,000 per psychiatrist should be aimed for. This results in an additional requirement of approx. plus 60 percent. However, patients currently have to wait up to six months for an initial consultation with a panel psychiatrist or panel psychotherapist. Unacceptable and life-threatening for people with severe symptoms or an acute risk of suicide. IDEE Austria Chairman Elmar Kennerth: „It is important that securing a livelihood forms a basis for maintaining mental health and that comprehensive psychosocial support must be accessible to everyone free of charge and at low thresholds. Self-help offers and peer work must be financed accordingly. In this context, the expansion of voluntary work cannot be the last word.
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About IDEE Austria
The umbrella organization IDEE Austria is the independent interest group of experienced experts for mental health and consists of interest groups and self-help groups in Austria. IDEE Austria represents concerns and activities related to the topic of mental health to decision-makers in politics and administration, as well as to service providers in the health care system at federal level.
The aim is to use the experience of the member organizations to participate in planning and decision-making processes. The basis for the work is the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN-BRK).
Further information: www.dv-idee.at
Questions & contact:
Umbrella organization IDEE Austria
Mario Leitgeber
Tel.: +43 681 208 41 241
Mail: mario.leitgeber@dv-idee.at
1683509480
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