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Campaign for mental health awareness launched

According to a recent survey conducted by the Swiss health and statistics authorities, one in six residents in the canton considers himself mentally out of balance and a third of the population admits to feeling lonely on occasions. Indeed, mental disorders are allegedly rising by 5% each year. The current suicide rate of 19 people a year in the canton corresponds to the Swiss national average but it is much higher than the international average. Some have already attempted suicide in the canton this year but have been saved at the last moment.
 
In order to try to alleviate the problems of depression, suicide and burn-out, the canton feels it needs to do more than just install barriers on the Lorzentobel bridge. "We must initiate preventive measures and make as many people as possible aware of mental disorders, especially since they are not always immediately recognisable," said Joachim Eder, cantonal director of health (photograph). "People's quality of life is seriously affected by mental disorders but many can now be successfully treated."
 
Despite the breaking down of many taboos, there are still many who consider people with mental problems as unpredictable and dangerous and very often it is very difficult for people to talk about their own problems. Hence the necessity to organise a month-long campaign involving several events to make the public aware of mental problems.
 
To this end, the cantonal health authority, out-patient psychiatric services, the Zugersee Psychiatric Clinic and the eff-zett self-help group have all joined forces to organise the campaign, which starts on Friday, to lessen the stigma people with mental disorders suffer.

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