Surge in Reported Mental Health Concerns Signals Potential Wave of Illness
Berlin, Germany – A notable increase in reports of depressive symptoms and feelings of distress is being observed across Germany, coinciding with the start of October, according to data analyzed from patient service calls. While reports of some physical symptoms like swallowing difficulties have sharply declined, complaints related to mental wellbeing have risen dramatically, prompting health officials to urge individuals experiencing these issues to seek support.
The latest data, compiled from patient service records for calendar week 38, reveals a 100% increase in reports of “depressives/feeling” – a broad category encompassing symptoms of depression and emotional distress. This surge resulted in 1,287 calls to patient services, marking a meaningful shift from the previous week’s trends.Simultaneously,reports of swallowing difficulties have fallen by 100%,registering 0 cases. This contrasting pattern suggests a potential wave of illness impacting mental health, particularly as colder weather and shorter days often correlate with increased seasonal affective disorder and other mood-related challenges.
here’s a breakdown of reported symptoms from the data:
| Symptom | Number of Reports | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | 3.062 | 3,9% |
| Cough | 3.000 | 3,8% |
Health authorities emphasize the importance of proactive mental health care. Individuals experiencing symptoms of stress, fear, or depression are encouraged to contact their doctor or patient service at 116 117. Free, anonymous telephone counseling is available 24/7 at 0800/111 0 111 and 0800/11 0 222, or online at https://online.telefonseelsorge.de/.
This report is based on data from Smed and is updated through data-driven analysis. Feedback can be directed to notkeeping@news.de.
