Everyone gets sad, annoyed, or simply exhausted sometimes. For some people, however, this state persists for an extended period. In this case, it is referred to as a depressive mood, ranging from mild to severe depression, as the German Depression Foundation formally describes it.
No two cases are alike. One in five or six German adults will develop depression at some point in their lives. Depression is therefore often referred to as a new widespread illness. Many young people are also affected.
The comic makes Marc's everyday burdens visible
Marc is 23 years old and one of them. He has been living with depression since he was 17. This comic shows what life with depression feels like for him. In various situations, he repeatedly experiences how his "constant companion," more of an uninvited guest, tries to make his life harder in every conceivable way – whether it distorts his self-image, inhibits his enjoyment of life, or turns social interactions into an ordeal.
He encourages Marc to do things that harm him, becoming an ever-increasing burden. With his therapist, Marc learns to understand and accept his constant companion. The first step out of depression.
Click to enlarge
(© Marcel Fernandez Bücker)
Talking instead of making it taboo
Marc believes that depression should no longer be taboo. Mental health is an issue that affects us all. Therefore, it's all the more important to talk about worries and fears. This could be with parents, a friend, a teacher, or even a neighbor (with people you feel safe and understood). For him, in addition to his family, it was also his therapist.
Seeking support – for those affected and their fellow human beings
Would you like to learn more about depression or seek help yourself? Then the following (initial) contact points and addresses may be helpful:
Help and advice in crisis situations:
Telephone counselling service
0800 11 101 11 + 0800 11 102 22 (Around the clock, free of charge, confidential and anonymous)
MuTeS – Muslim Pastoral Care Telephone
030 443 509 821 (anonymous, confidential)
Bremen Child and Youth Emergency Service:
Advice and help in crisis situations – around the clock
Social Psychiatric Crisis Service (KID)/Crisis Intervention Service
Information and advice for depression:
German Depression Aid:
Help and information on dealing with the illness
I am an all
-information portal for depression and mental health in children and adolescents.
Child and adolescent psychiatric counseling center and outpatient clinic (KIPSY)
offers advice and support for all child and adolescent psychiatric disorders.
Self-help:
Young people with depression (self-help group)
Self-led self-help group for young people with depression (up to about 30 years old)
Counselor:
Pathways to Psychotherapy:
A guide for those seeking help from the German Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists (BPtK) with answers to many questions
psychNAVi
Overview of the support system for people with mental health problems and their relatives in Bremen
Marcel Fernandez Bücker is in his 8th semester of sociology studies at the University of Bremen and completed his internship at familiennetz bremen until mid-June 2022.