Brigitte Schmerder: Village pastor is fighting loneliness!

Brigitte Schmerder: Village pastor is fighting loneliness!

In the factual world of telephone counseling there are special people who bridges to build lonely. An outstanding example is Brigitte Schmerder, who, at the age of 85, is the oldest voluntary telephone counselor of the Diakonie Bautzen. It offers support around the clock and has even trained in the digital area to document the conversations professionally. Causes such as loneliness, family problems and the consequences of the Ukraine War are among the most common topics that Schmerder hears in their night services from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The deputy head of telephone counseling, Marlen Rehor, describes Schmerder as an apparent “heart man”, whose commitment is a ray of hope for many. Schmerder is not only hiked in the matter, but also emotionally reaches its limits, as some fates touch them. This shows how important this type of voluntary commitment is. More and more people are dependent on support, and the numbers speak for themselves: loud Telephone counseling Every fifth call was affected by loneliness in 2023.

Loneliness in focus

The problem of loneliness is increasingly gaining in social relevance. A study by the Federal Institute for Population Research from the summer of 2024 states that almost a third of the 18- to 53-year-olds are occasionally lonely. This loneliness has not only emotional, but also health consequences that can put a lot of strain on the individual. This is where telephone counseling comes in. It not only offers a voice that listens, but also important emotional feedback in crisis situations.

As part of its work, telephone counseling has over 7,700 volunteers who support people in acute crises. The help takes place via various channels: phone, email and chats care. Even if the consultations are anonymous, around the clock and free of charge, telephone counseling cannot solve the fundamental problem of loneliness. Nevertheless, she contributes to the fact that many people do not feel alone in their darkest hours.

Valuable volunteering

The commitment like Brigitte Schmerder's commitment is essential. The use of volunteers promotes empathy and mindfulness that ensure positive human interaction. According to the EKMD Forms telephone counseling a valuable part of the social structure that deals with this sensitive topic. And in the future it will also be important to raise awareness of loneliness and remedy.

The data is alarming, but the commitment of people like Brigitte Schmerder gives hope. It shows that everyone can make a difference and that one should support each other in order to adhere to the load of loneliness. Together we are strong - and this applies especially in difficult times.