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Children cannot cope with depression without support. A hospital in Gdańsk educates people on how to recognize that they need it

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The Provincial Psychiatric Hospital in Gdańsk has prepared a series of educational films that raise key issues of young people's mental health. The materials contain practical information for teachers, parents, and students. The hospital shared these recordings with Pomeranian schools in the hope that they will help understand and support young people in mental health crisis.

The mental health crisis is affecting more and more young people, and the health system cannot keep up with the growing problem. Today, as many as 76 patients are admitted to 46 places in the ward of the Provincial Psychiatric Hospital in Gdańsk.

– We are adding more beds and trying to divide them in such a way that these children actually feel some comfort, as much as possible. However, let us remember that there are almost twice as many beds and it is indeed a very difficult situation – emphasizes Dr. Mariusz Kaszubowski, director of the Provincial Psychiatric Hospital in Gdańsk.

SEE ALSO: The Psychiatry and Oncology Center for Children and Adolescents was opened. It is the most modern such center in Europe

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Each of them requires immediate support, and overcrowded wards are a problem across the country. – Mainly teenagers, i.e. from 12 to 17 years of age, but there are also younger children: even 6-7 years old. There were also such cases – says Dr. Mariusz Kaszubowski.

– A lot of depression, which often ends in suicide attempts and self-harm. I think this is a difficult topic, because it is very difficult for parents, teachers, but also for patients and students themselves, to really understand what is happening, where it comes from and how to deal with it – says Kacper Kąkol, a resident doctor in child psychiatry. and youth.

Child psychiatry in Poland is in some places “the 19th century”. The children lie tied with beltsKatarzyna Górniak/Fakty TVN

Special films were sent to Pomeranian schools

Educational videos prepared by the hospital are intended to help with understanding. – At the moment we have shot five pilot episodes. Each one actually covers a different topic. There are topics about depression, anxiety, eating disorders and crises – says Anna Czarnowska, press secretary of the Provincial Psychiatric Hospital in Gdańsk.

The materials were delivered to Pomeranian schools. They are intended to sensitize parents and teachers to the first symptoms that a child may not be able to cope with his or her problems and needs help.

– The materials are very specific and indicate direct contact possibilities, but – most importantly – they also indicate what you should pay attention to in everyday work. In situations that may seem to us like the student is overtired or perhaps even a symptom of laziness, it turns out that they are important aspects of the deteriorating well-being, emphasizes Dorota Suchacz, director of the Second Secondary School in Gdańsk.

READ ALSO: “This crisis is before us.” Experts on the mental health of Poles

The idea is to react as early as possible to help the child before his problems worsen and ultimately lead to a serious illness.

– Honest conversation is very important. And I think this is what each of us adults can do. But in this honest conversation, it is important to care, understand, not judge and, if necessary, guide you further. Sometimes it's just enough to be, but you also have to be in the right way – advises doctor Kacper Kąkol.

Depression should not be ignored and you should seek help. "I didn't know it was a disease"

Depression should not be ignored and you should seek help. “I didn't know it was a disease”Stefania Kulik/Fakty po Południu TVN24

They remind us that depression can be treated

As specialists emphasize, a child cannot cope with depression without support. In the videos, the hospital reminds that “depression is a fatal disease.” “Untreated depression leads to death. (…) Depression can be treated. That's why asking for help is so important,” we hear in the film.

As experience shows, more and more young people cannot cope with the environment around them. Stress, multimedia and the fast-paced world often overwhelm young people.

READ ALSO: “When we look at the statistics, at the terrifying numbers, we see how much there is to be done.”

– Stress that results from the tensions and expectations placed on young people by everyone around them, including their parents. These are fears related to how much they are judged in the virtual world. Social media is a very difficult companion in everyday life and, indeed, young people encounter various problems there. Additionally, I think it is also the stress related to doing fantastically in order to pass the high school final exams – says the director of the Secondary School No. 2 in Gdańsk.

A child's mental suffering can last for months and go unnoticed.

If you are experiencing emotional problems and would like advice or support, you will find the list here organizations offering professional help. In a situation of immediate threat to life, call 997 or 112

Main photo source: TVN24



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