Many people find loneliness a psychological burden

On World Mental Health Day (October 10th), attention is drawn to the fact that general well-being is influenced not only by physical health, but also by mental health. The topic of mental health already plays a major role in the MDRfragt community. Two thirds of the survey participants said that they personally pay attention to these. However, for 30 percent this is not the case.

The MDRfragt participants who are concerned about their mental health see it as being negatively influenced primarily by stress. Fears and high pressure of expectations are also mentioned by the majority as negative influencing factors. In addition, loneliness plays a role for more than one in four people.
The proportion of those who cite loneliness as a negative factor is highest among those under 30, at 35 percent. In addition, this age group was significantly more likely to say that they were currently feeling high pressure of expectations with negative effects on their mental health – this was the case for 73 percent.

In the comments, many MDRfragt members write that they are particularly burdened by the stress at work. For Tina (59) from Central Saxony, the stress is so great that she “can hardly compensate for it in her free time”. MDRfragt member Stefan (44) from Bautzen also writes: “My work situation, which is accompanied by high time pressure and unfulfillable expectations, has a negative impact.”

For Constanze (61) from Dresden, the whole thing represents a downward spiral. She is of the opinion: “The pressure of expectations leads to stress, the stress to fears and the fears in turn to loneliness.” Dietmar (69) from the Erzgebirgskreis explains what can then follow and reports: “Anyone who does not perform well in the world of work due to psychological or mental problems very quickly becomes a victim of bullying. I have not yet had the employer take countermeasures by changing the work tasks experienced.”

In addition, some MDRfragt members are confronted with stress even before they start their working lives. For example, Julia (24) from Halle an der Saale writes: “At the moment it’s difficult to pay attention to your mental health. The standard period of study in pharmacy is pure stress.”

In addition to stress, the MDRfragt community describes many other factors that put a strain on mental health. From long experience, Helga (82) from Erfurt states: “Disturbed family relationships, even if only partially, are very stressful. They cause negative emotions and loneliness” and also notes: “Woe to anyone who does not have a functioning circle of friends.” Heike (44) from Weimarer Land thinks: “In my opinion, there are too few real friends these days with whom you can talk about anything and who will listen. People treat each other very superficially and too judgmentally. This creates mental stress and… Lonliness.”

Mental health has long been considered a taboo topic. Opinions are divided when it comes to the question of whether this is still the case. 46 percent of MDRfragt participants have the impression that discussing mental health is actually still taboo. However, 42 percent do not share this view.

In parallel to the fact that the majority of survey participants still perceive mental health as a taboo topic, 44 percent are of the opinion that it is not discussed enough. For more than a fifth, however, there is enough talk about it – for more than a quarter, even too much.

MDRfragt member Oliver (39) thinks that in Germany “it has grown historically that little attention is paid to mental health.” He has the impression: “Talking about feelings, communicating needs or even seeking help still seems to be associated with weakness and failure, especially among men.”

When mental illnesses are discussed, Luise (27) from the Görlitz district notices that they are “often downplayed or not taken so seriously.” The reason for this, in her opinion, is that “this type of illness is intangible” because “you can see a broken arm, but depression is not written on your forehead.”

Lothar (66), also from the Görlitz district in East Saxony, also thinks: “Many people cannot imagine themselves in such a situation and think that the person affected just needs to try a little harder to improve the situation.”

For Antje (50) from the Erzgebirgskreis, mental health now plays a big role. She writes that it was only in the last few years that she learned that mental health “even exists, that you can think about it and talk about it and that you can do things for yourself without feeling guilty.” The 50-year-old also reports: “I didn’t learn this as a child – things like that weren’t talked about and my father still doesn’t understand that I deal with it.”

Almost three quarters of those surveyed have the impression that people with mental illnesses are sometimes stigmatized – that is, degraded and excluded. However, around a fifth do not observe this.

Tanja (66) from North Saxony shares her personal experiences in the comments and says: “Although there are efforts to get mental illness out of the ‘dirty corner’, it is difficult to live with it. Terms like ‘slap’ or ‘crazy’ are normal.” She thinks: “People are afraid of them because these diseases are largely unknown.”

From their perspective, a broken leg evokes helpfulness, while someone who cannot get out of bed for days because of depression is described as lazy. Burghard (65) from Magdeburg, who worked in a facility for people with disabilities, also had negative experiences on several occasions. He writes: “We encountered all kinds of discrimination in activities outside the facility.”

Antje (50) from the Erzgebirgskreis describes what can follow from this and comments: “There are still people who build up lies in order not to have to say that they are mentally ill because they are afraid of stigmatization.” An MDRfragt member (57) from Chemnitz tells us what negative experiences you have when you talk about your mental illness. She has been going to psychotherapy for many years, but in her “work environment there are no positive comments about it.”

Another MDRfragt member (60) from Bautzen struggles with anxiety and panic attacks due to traumatic experiences and also encounters a lack of understanding in those around him. From there it is often said that “you are just imagining it and many people say that the events happened so long ago that you should finally be able to come to terms with it and not feel like that.”

Should mental health be discussed in school lessons? Almost two thirds of MDRfragt participants are in favor of this. However, around a quarter reject this.

Many people in the comments also spoke out in favor of addressing mental health in school lessons. However, there are also critical voices. For example, H. (61) from the Vogtland district thinks the topic of mental health is introduced too early in school lessons because, in his opinion, it could have a rather negative impact. He thinks that the school “should not add additional burdens with such issues, but should create an environment that monitors and offers help if necessary.” Similarly, Knut (63) from Dresden comments: “School cannot address all social problems; this trend is currently far too pronounced.” In his opinion, addressing mental health is a matter for parents.

Oliver (39) from the Meißen district sees it completely differently and demands: “We urgently need the subject ‘self-awareness’ in school. There, young people should learn something about the body and the psyche, specifically how they function, what they do needs and, above all, what you can do when you’re feeling bad.”

Iris (60) from the Unstrut-Hainich district also believes that “children should learn to deal with stress and negative situations.” Markus (32) from Leipzig sees it similarly and writes: “At least school children and young people should also be informed about possible symptoms in order to be able to react in a timely manner.” Clara (24) from Greiz thinks that “that would have helped a lot of my classmates at the time to find a sensible way to deal with these topics.”