In psychiatry: This is what it's really like | On the ward (1/2) | WDR documentary
Find out what happens next for Marcel, Imane, and David here: 👉 https://1.ard.de/auf-station-yt-vb
"Rubber cells, straitjackets, and a bunch of lunatics." That was Marcel's idea of a psychiatric ward before he was admitted to the LVR Clinic in Düren after his suicide attempt. He quickly realized that the reality on the ward was quite different and that he could receive help. "The psychologist really hit the nail on the head. I cried like a little boy," Marcel says, describing his treatment. A WDR camera crew followed the daily life of "Secure Ward 11f" for several months – a ward whose doors can only be opened by staff.
"The morning medication is being distributed," the announcement comes over the loudspeakers, and a little later, they are queuing outside the medication room: women and men with depression, psychosis, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia. David (29) also swallows his pills in front of a nurse. This is his second time here with psychosis, and he now knows that it's almost impossible to manage this illness without medication. "But the meditation exercises also help me a lot to get my racing thoughts under control," says David.
"And that's what we're all about in inpatient psychiatry: taking the first big step out of the crisis with those affected and finding tools with them that enable them to cope well with the illness," explains Dr. Heike Gräfin Stenbock-Fermor, Senior Consultant. She is one of 1,400 employees at the LVR Clinic Düren, where around 8,000 patients are treated annually. The doctor emphasizes the importance of not just prescribing medication, but also helping patients with therapies and treatments, and preparing them as well as possible for their return to everyday life. This isn't always successful. "It's the reality in the hospital that some patients return, and some simply can't be helped. That can be frustrating and sad," says Dr. Stenbock-Fermor. Heike Countess Stenbock-Fermor.
Imane's treatment is working well. The mother of two didn't want to go on living after the death of her eight-year-old son, but was rescued at the last minute and initially taken to the clinic against her will. Here, she is regaining her zest for life and, with the help of therapy, is able to make some important decisions. But how will she return to her everyday life after leaving the clinic?
You can find further help here:
The telephone counseling service offers free and anonymous support around the clock and can refer you to appropriate counseling centers. 0800-111 0 111 or 0800-111 0 222 / https://www.telefonseelsorge.de/
Number against worries: Children's and Youth Helpline 116 111, Parents' Helpline 0800-1110 550
Information hotline for addiction prevention of the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) at 0221-89 20 31. Upon request, a nearby counseling center will be provided.
Nationwide addiction and drug hotline (24 hours): 01805 - 31 30 31 (14 cents/min., mobile rates may vary), www.sucht-und-drogen-hotline.de
Counseling services for eating disorders: https://www.bzga-essstoerungen.de/
Information on eating disorders: https://www.bzga-essstoerungen.de/
German Society for Suicide Prevention: https://www.suizidprophylaxe.de/
White Ring: For victims of crime - 116 006 (free, anonymous, and available nationwide) www.weisser-ring.de
Christian Presl Foundation: Counseling center for bereaved individuals. www.christian-presl-stiftung.de
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🎥 A film for people up close by Ulf Eberle, with contributions from Marspet Movsisyan.
This film was produced in 2023. All statements and facts reflect the situation at that time and have not been updated since.
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📺 More documentaries in the ARD Mediathek: https://1.ard.de/yt_doku
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