With courage and knowledge against depression

"Together with courage and knowledge against depression" 2nd Patient Congress Depression on September 1, 2013 in Leipzig

06/04/2013

Together with the German Confederation Against Depression and the German Depressions League, the German Depressionshilfe Foundation organizes the patient congress Depression in Leipzig for the second time - Up to 1,500 people affected by depression, families and interested parties are expected - The event will be moderated by entertainer Harald Schmidt.

Every second German has to deal with depression at least once in his life - as a victim or a relative. In total, approximately four million people in Germany currently suffer from a depression requiring treatment. But it often takes years from the onset of symptoms to successful treatment. Help and education for those affected and their relatives is urgently needed. The German Depressionshilfe Foundation invites to the "2nd German Patient Congress Depression", a forum that is unique in Germany. On Sunday, September 1, 2013, up to 1,500 guests are expected at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. The congress will again be moderated by the patron of the foundation, entertainer Harald Schmidt: "Depression is a disease without a lobby and anything but funny, the more everyone knows about the disease, the better he can handle it."

The aim of the independent and non-profit foundation Deutsche Depressionshilfe is to research depression, to pass on knowledge and to help those affected to receive better treatment as well as more acceptance in society. Foundation Board Prof. dr. Ulrich Hegerl: "Lack of knowledge in the population leads to fear and stigmatization, depression is one of the most common diseases and can affect anyone."

The majority of the 10,000 suicides per year and 150,000 suicide attempts in Germany are caused by depression, which is often not optimally treated. Reason is lack of knowledge but also shame of those affected. "With the help of the patient congress, we want to give a voice to the currently more than four million depression sufferers in Germany - whose illness is more like the withdrawal from life and society," adds Prof. Ulrich Hegerl, who runs the Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy University Hospital Leipzig leads.

The congress in Leipzig starts on September 1st at 10:00 o'clock. In addition to numerous lectures and workshops, the varied program will be held by sufferers, relatives and professionals, such as Bestselling author Dr. Manfred Lütz ("Funky! We treat the wrong people"), an evening event in the nearby Moritzbastei and many more surprises for his visitors. As part of the congress, the photo contest "Paths from depression" will take place again this year. The visitors are also awaiting the presentation of the Carlsson Wedemeyer Award and, for the first time, the "German Media Award for Depressionshilfe". The complete congress program with additional information and registration can be found at: www.deutsche-depressionshilfe.de/kongress. (Pm)