One in five Germans suffers: The dark side of work!

One in five Germans suffers: The dark side of work!

In recent years, a worrying trend has developed in the mental health of German citizens. Since 2020, there has been a significant increase in depression among working-age adults. How Schwäbische.de reported, around 8.2 percent of 18 to 65 year olds were affected by depression requiring treatment in 2023 - that corresponds to over five million people in Germany. What is particularly noteworthy is that around one in five Germans will struggle with depression over the course of their life.

The reasons for this alarming development are diverse. In addition to the corona pandemic, factors such as isolation, home office, constantly rising costs of living and insecurity in the workplace play a decisive role. Social contacts were severely restricted by the pandemic, which placed additional strain on many people. An example that illustrates the problem is the story of Elena Schmidt, a 40-year-old restaurateur. Irregular working hours, overtime and a strained relationship with her boss led to insomnia and panic attacks. In 2023 she finally received a diagnosis of depression and was referred for outpatient therapy.

Career transition management: Help for those affected

In November 2023, Elena Schmidt was admitted to the day clinic at Pauline-Arkade 13 in Friedrichshafen, where she took part in individual and group therapies. During her stay, she learned about the Occupational Transition Management (BÜM) project, which has been funded by Aktion Mensch since 2021. The aim of this project is to make the transition between hospital stay and working life easier for mentally ill people. Medical Journal highlights that economic stress and job insecurity during the pandemic have been directly linked to worsening mental health.

The BÜM project is aimed at working people of working age and supports them in career orientation, applying for rehabilitation services and returning to previous employment. Selina Löw, the project manager, reports that 315 people have already been supported since the project started. The offer has been extended until the end of August 2026. This initiative is a valuable step to help those affected reintegrate into the labor market after a psychosocial crisis and overcome bureaucratic hurdles.

Mental health in times of crisis

A comprehensive study conducted as part of the NAKO Health Study shows that mental health has worsened during the pandemic. Younger and middle-aged adults in particular reported increased depressive and anxiety symptoms. The tension at work, coupled with financial worries and the sudden switch to working from home, were decisive factors that favored this development. Oberberg Clinics also report on the far-reaching psychological consequences of the pandemic and the need for stable social and economic conditions for mental health.

The highlights of the studies and reports mentioned clearly show that mental illnesses must receive even more attention in the future, especially in times of crisis. The importance of early advice, support and stable living conditions is becoming increasingly clear in order to specifically support people like Elena Schmidt on their way back to working life.