Around 1,500 schoolchildren between the ages of 14 and 20 were examined throughout Austria in October and November. According to the study, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, but also sleep disorders have increased five- to ten-fold.
Pieh calls for more support, according to a broadcast. Around a fifth of girls and 14 percent of boys would suffer from recurring suicidal thoughts. That is, they think of suicide either every day or for more than half of the days. “The measures taken so far are clearly not enough here. I can only repeat myself, but there is an urgent need for action, ”said Pieh.
Girls and boys “should take problems seriously”
“The stress limit of the young people has been exceeded by far,” says the author. According to the Danube University, his study will be published shortly. Due to the urgency, the data were published on Wednesday.
Pieh spoke of an urgent appeal to everyone involved to do more for the mental health of the young people immediately. Girls and boys, on the other hand, should also take mental health problems seriously. “Getting help is a sign of strength and is particularly advisable in severe cases,” explained the study author.
Various triggers and signs
Experts assume that the uncertainty of how things will continue in times of the pandemic is a major problem for young people. The lack of social contact as a result of the pandemic is also not without consequences for the young people, as the study mentioned above shows. In addition, the pandemic has now lasted almost two years. Retreats for children and adolescents are also important, especially in lockdowns. However, according to experts, outdoor activities should also be considered.
Help in the event of a crisis
Reports of (possible) suicides can make the situation worse for people in crisis. The Psychiatric Emergency Aid is available on 01/313 30 around the clock for advice and support in the event of a crisis.
The Austria-wide telephone counseling can also be reached free of charge at any time at 142. Help for adolescents and young adults can also be found on line 147 at number 147.
The signs of depression are manifold and can show up on the basis of mood, behavior, but also academic performance and in the physical area. According to Christian Reumann, child and youth attorney from Burgenland, depression is often a reaction to helplessness. “That sums up the whole coronavirus situation nicely, because ultimately the whole of society feels helpless somewhere, at least temporarily, and children even more – by withdrawing, becoming quieter and quieter, no longer able to act, or is aggressive. “
In order to show how to recognize these signals, why children and adolescents become depressed, and how to prevent them, a brochure is now being distributed in Burgenland – more on this in burgenland.ORF.at.
Open schools extremely important
A new study by the city of Graz also shows how young people are suffering from the pandemic. Study author Paulino Jimenez from the Institute of Psychology at the University of Graz sees adults as role models. “We as adults have a great responsibility, we are role models, and we should convey stability.” It was positive that fathers in the pandemic took on significantly more responsibility for the children, which was very well received by the fathers themselves and their families has been; open schools are also important for stability, as the study found.
However, according to the study, it is also difficult for many parents to provide stability due to the constant stress – this is why the support network for advice and courses, for example, is to be expanded, says the City of Graz – more on this in steiermark.ORF.at. Those who had psychological problems before the pandemic were particularly stressed – more on this in ooe.ORF.at. According to the Vienna General Hospital, suicide attempts by adolescents have doubled compared to the previous year – more on this in wien.ORF.at. In the meantime, the “We help you” campaign has been started in Kärten – more on this in kaernten.ORF.at.
Government increases funding pots
Due to the immense impact of the pandemic on mental health, the government is allocating more money to this area. The government has agreed to increase the funds for psychosocial measures by 2.9 million euros for 2022 and 1.9 million euros annually from 2023, it said on Wednesday after the Council of Ministers from the Ministry of Health.
“All the levers are in motion to give those affected and their environment the best possible support,” said Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) in a broadcast. Accompanying the implementation of the Constitutional Court’s decision on assisted suicide, it was decided to strengthen suicide prevention and provide additional psychosocial support for those affected and their environment.
Family counseling centers also get more
The additional money is intended to support projects and measures that contribute to strengthening the psychosocial health of people in difficult phases of life as well as their relatives and relatives. There should be an awareness campaign to draw attention to the possibility of submitting funding. Part of the campaign is also to accelerate gatekeeper training courses, i.e. for professional groups or people who have a key position as contact persons for persons at risk.
As part of the package of measures for psychosocial health, an additional increase was decided for the family counseling centers: From 2022, 600,000 euros more will be available per year for family counseling centers. “The 400 or so family counseling centers have become an important point of contact for families in crisis situations, particularly during the CoV crisis,” explained Family Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP).