Mental disorders rob six years of life

Mental illness remains the second most common reason for long sick leave

12/11/2014

People who suffer from a mental illness may be unable to work for weeks. Again „Health Report 2014“ As the Barmer GEK points out, mental disorders such as depression are still the second most common reason for long absenteeism in the job. In North Rhine-Westphalia alone, almost one third of the economically active population would be unemployed for a long time each year.

Almost 3 million sufferers in NRW alone
According to the study, there were fewer sick leave due to mental disorders in NRW in 2013, but these are usually tedious and therefore still the second most frequent reason for missing days at work. „The numbers are alarming: every year almost one third of the economically active population in North-Rhine Westphalia - this is about 2.9 million people - suffer from mental disorders. "In many cases, depression is the key factor , a disease whose treatment is often very difficult and takes a long time.

Affected persons are missing on average about 50 days
Above all, companies feel the effects of mental distress, „that in mental disorders the incapacity to work lasts by far the longest compared to other illnesses.“ According to the study, last year's sufferers missed about 50 days on average, and psychiatric stress had also increased in recent years, explains the psychologist. Dr. phil. Andreas Šoljan. „However, it is difficult for many patients to talk openly about psychological stress in their personal and professional environments“, the expert from Dusseldorf continues. According to the Barmer GE gives the formula „30-6-1“ Information about the frequency, duration and therapy of mental disorders. Even though almost 30 percent of the working population had been diagnosed with a mental disorder, only about six percent reported that they were unable to work and only one percent had themselves treated in a hospital. For the psychologist Andreas Šoljan a positive message, because in addition to the family work is an important factor for the stabilization of a mental illness, the expert said.

In Mönchengladbach significantly more cases than in Paderborn
According to the Barmer GEK, there are some major regional differences within NRW during the days of absence. While the longest absences occurred in Mönchengladbach, Heinsberg and Herne, the duration of sick leave due to mental disorders in Paderborn, Olpe and Cologne was below average. An explanation for the regional differences, however, health experts have not yet. Some have got loud Šoljan meanwhile a kind „gray market“ psychiatry private practices would be practiced in many places, since the number of therapists who can settle their benefits with the statutory health insurance, limited. However, due to the high demand, the statutory health insurance funds would then in some cases take over the private medical bill, which leads to immense additional costs: „That started in 2008 with two million euros, now there will spend 40 to 50 million euros“, so Šoljan.

Operational measures to strengthen mental health
More and more employers are recognizing health promotion, according to Barmer GEK „as an instrument of personnel policy“ and make the mental health of employees more and more important. „Well-being and health reduce the workload and increase the satisfaction and motivation of our employees“, explains Friedrich Dehos, who, as HR Manager at Sparkasse Vest Recklinghausen, has formed his own team responsible for workplace health promotion. This is an important step, because through an internal health management, the health of employees can be meaningfully promoted through targeted actions and measures, and it also contributes to open communication. „This is essential so that mental illness is not a taboo subject“, Beckmann. „If desired, we can help our insured find a solution for psychotherapy in a timely manner“, emphasized the state manager. (No)