Help for children: New treatment concept in Brandenburg revolutionizes therapy!

Help for children: New treatment concept in Brandenburg revolutionizes therapy!

What is happening in the mental health of young people? This question is more relevant than ever, especially after the challenges brought by the pandemic and global crises. The 2023 Children's Health Report reveals that children and young people are under severe psychological stress. The health care, school and youth welfare systems are overloaded, and waiting times for therapy places are getting longer and longer. Girls between the ages of 15 and 19 who suffer from emotional disorders are particularly affected. Young people are also showing new concerns – from the climate crisis to the war in Ukraine. There is an increasing demand to create preventive and life-oriented offers in order to avoid chronic problems and promote mental health. A broad psychosocial offering and targeted investments in skilled workers are urgently needed, experts say.

One solution that is particularly eye-catching is the newly launched concept of “station-equivalent treatment” (StäB) at the Asklepios Fachklinikum Brandenburg. Since September 2024, this innovative treatment method has offered children and young people with serious mental illnesses the opportunity to be cared for in their familiar home environment. The treatment team – consisting of specialists, psychologists, social workers and other specialists – visits the patients every day. This support enables intensive therapy tailored to individual needs, even on weekends and holidays. In this way, a trusting relationship is built, which should strengthen the motivation of the patients. [maz-online.de].

A new chapter for Jacob

An example that shows how successful the StäB can be is the story of Jacob Somma, a 13-year-old boy. He suffered from social anxiety and increasing weight, which led him to become withdrawn and stop attending school. His parents were in a dilemma until they found out about the new care from the Asklepios Specialist Hospital. Jacob has made progress through the StäB: he is going back to school and has attended clinical school. His parents are actively involved in the processes and learn how to better understand and support their child's behavior.

The StäB has a treatment period of 10 to 12 weeks, which corresponds to an inpatient stay. The prerequisite for this is, among other things, the consent of all people living in the household and the opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation. The mobile team checks in every day when adolescence - often a particularly vulnerable phase - brings with it major challenges. In addition to depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders are also widespread mental illnesses among young people. asklepios.com emphasizes that the StäB represents a real alternative for families and especially young people who are looking for support within their own four walls.

A look into the future

The StäB concept is not just an emergency solution, but rather takes a holistic view of the patients' living conditions. Involving the family in the treatment process is seen as a central resource that helps young people get on the right path and better cope with the challenges of everyday life. This form of therapy could prove to be the key to better mental health care in a health policy context. Finally, the figures from the Children's Health Report show that answers and struggles around mental health are being sought.

A little light at the end of the tunnel for our young people - it remains to be hoped that such treatment options will be further expanded and benefit even more young people in the future. The need is there and the solutions must follow.