As of: October 10, 2024 5:00 a.m
At the age of 15, Susanne H.’s son (name changed by the editors) was diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder. In order to better deal with the situation, she sought help. But this is rare for parents with mentally ill children.
It all started when Yannick H. had a panic attack at school for the first time. He didn’t tell his parents what happened afterwards, but he didn’t tell them. “I got a call from the teacher who said that my son was having frequent panic attacks and that she would advise me to get this checked out.” She got a place with a therapist for her son unusually quickly. “After a few sessions, she told me that Yannick was extremely suicidal. That was an absolute shock for me. As parents, we didn’t notice anything.”
More and more children and young people are affected
Yannik’s suicidal intentions were so strong that he was admitted to a clinic as an acute case. However, Yannick is not alone with his mental illness: According to the so-called “Copsy study”, for which the Hamburg University Hospital (UKE) has surveyed 1,000 children and young people between the ages of 11 and 17 once a year since the Corona pandemic, Today, one in three children feels psychologically stressed. Before Corona, this was the case for one in five children.
Child and adolescent psychologists can help
If you are unsure whether your child needs help, you should observe their behavior, explains Brigitte Göbel, alternative practitioner for psychotherapy. Is there an unexplained drop in performance at school? Is there atypical social withdrawal taking place? “If there are these possible warning signs, parents should talk to the child,” she explains. When professional help is needed, experts come to the rescue. For example, an alternative practitioner for psychotherapy or a child and adolescent psychologist. The child can then be helped with behavioral therapy, talk therapy or a depth psychological procedure. Depending on the diagnosis and symptoms.
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Waiting times for therapists are often long
Brigitte Göbel helps sick children, but also the parents of mentally ill children. This closes a gap in the system. “Many clinics offer family counseling after a child’s stay, but the clinics are often hopelessly overloaded and there are hardly any therapists available.” Support from parents is extremely important. “Parents then have to proactively find a therapist and start looking.” Just like with child and adolescent psychologists, there are often long waiting times for adults too.
Self-care is also important for parents
Susanne H. was lucky: she found an anchor in Brigitte Göbel. “We didn’t know how to deal with Yannick in everyday life. What could be wrong and what could be beneficial. Because there is always the fear that he will do something to himself.” She learned that as parents they are not responsible for the child having depression. That many other factors also play a role. “It reduces the guilt.” She also learned self-care from the therapist. And “standing up for yourself.” Because this is the only way the child can learn this and copy it.
The fear remains
Susanne H. now feels more stabilized. Stronger for herself and her son. And: more confident. But the worry, she says, still comes along again and again. “My son recently said that he still has suicidal thoughts almost every day. That scares me. Not knowing whether your son is still alive when you get home from work is terrible.” But she is now learning to deal with it differently and to implement the tools she has learned in everyday life.
Anyone who is affected can find first help on the Internet. Here Appropriate therapists can be searched for where you live.
More information
Even in seemingly hopeless situations, there are people who can help you. There are links and phone numbers here. more
A team of 35 psychology students from Kiel offers free mental health workshops in schools. more
The non-profit organization has existed since 1984. She helps people with psychological and social disabilities – for example Arthur from Husum. more
Schleswig-Holstein Magazine
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Schleswig-Holstein Magazine | Oct 10, 2024 | 7:30 p.m
