In an apartment in Oslo, Marius Pettersen (27) has had a very special curtain delivered to his door.
The 27-year-old is one of approximately 2,000 Oslo citizens who this week will cover their windows with messages to highlight the dangers of isolating yourself at home alone – behind closed curtains.
In the report Mental health in Norway as of 2018, it is estimated that 16-22 percent of the adult population meets the criteria for a mental health problem within a year.
According to the initiators in Fontenehus, who are behind the window campaign, this summer there are around 3,400 mentally ill people in the capital who are left at home without an offer to go outside their home.
– THOUSANDS: According to Fontenehus, thousands of mentally ill people in Oslo resort to isolation at home in their apartments. Photo: Simen Askjer / TV 2
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– Known for jumping in front of the tram
Pettersen himself has bad experiences with isolation, from when he became disabled and stayed at home with a mental illness at the age of 18.
– ISOLATED: Marius Pettersen has had many dark periods in his life, behind the curtains of his apartment. Photo: Simen Askjer / TV 2
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– It is still a bit strong to feel the feelings you had then. There is something very difficult about not understanding what you should do in life, whether you should just stop it or move on, says Pettersen.
He was told by health professionals that he was chronically suicidal.
– I ended up trying to stop my life. I was known to jump in front of the tram or end up in the emergency room with an overdose.
One day in 2017, he decided to take action.
Symptoms may worsen
– I would say that I was desperate. But then I called Fontenehus, and they said I could come there. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done, he says.
Fontenehus is a working community for those who are too ill to work, but too healthy to sit at home. They want to prevent people from signing in sick for empty days.
– WANT CHANGE: The political demand from Fontenehus is to ensure that people do not register sick for empty days. Photo: Simen Askjer / TV 2
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– The symptoms can worsen, because the feeling of isolation and loneliness can make you feel less valuable, and you get even further away from normal everyday life, says general manager of Fontenehus, Torhild Stimo.
They believe that a distinction must be made between sick leave and mental illness, and that GPs must offer other services to those who are sick due to mental illness.
– I thought it was strange that when you get a mental health report, you’re just sent home, says Stimo.
Difference in the sick reports
In collaboration with Fontenehus, creator Sollin Sæle has illustrated the curtains, which contain quotes from members at Fontenehus with experiences of having isolated themselves at home.
On a curtain it says, for example: “I went home with a sick note.” I didn’t know it would take four years before I went out again.”
– If you get a sick call, it feels very wrong to be seen by your boss or friends while you’re sitting in a cafe or in the park with friends, but with some sick calls it’s exactly what you need, says Sæle.
– GO OUT: The clear call from Marius Pettersen is not to hide at home. Here he hangs up the curtain that will illuminate it. Photo: Simen Askjer / TV 2
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Sæle receives support from Pettersen, who has advice for others in the same situation:
– Saying yes, going out the door, saying hello to someone – that gets you quite far and it can mean a lot.
He himself has had his life turned upside down after he decided to start going out. Now he has a full-time job, and good relationships in life.
– All the good things that I didn’t think were there, they are there. Sitting here alone, I never figured it out.
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