Wir überwinden Grenzen

Screening of the German tragic-comedy followed by a discussion with experts from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and the Freiburg Alliance Against Depression e.V.

The film 'Mängelexemplar' opens in German cinemas on May 12. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Kuttner and deals with the topic of depression in a wild, humorous and sensitive way. In order to provide information about the topic and offer an initial space for questions, the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and the Freiburg Alliance Against Depression (FBgD) e.V. invite you to a film screening on Monday, May 23, 2016 at 6:45 pm at the Harmonie cinema (Grünwälderstraße 16-18) . After the film, an expert from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg and the FBgD e.V. will be available to answer questions. Tickets are available in advance and at the box office for 7.50 euros.

"Depression is a very serious topic. That's exactly why a humorous approach to the illness is sometimes good," says depression expert Prof. Dr. Christoph Nissen, Managing Senior Physician at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, who will be present at the event. The specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy has been treating people with depression for many years and is researching new treatment options.

A member of the Freiburg Alliance Against Depression will also be present at the cinema event with an information stand. The association offers advice, information and concrete help in the event of a crisis. "People with depression and their relatives are often very reluctant to seek professional help. A cinema event like this can perhaps be the first point of contact for some of them," hopes Stefanie Hirth, Managing Director of the alliance.

According to the German Depression Support Foundation, around one in five people in Germany suffer from depression at some point in their lives. Although the level of suffering of those affected is very high, depression is often not treated or not treated optimally. But it doesn't have to be that way: "Depression can be treated very effectively. However, all therapeutic options must be used and those affected must be ready for help," says Prof. Nissen.

Content of the movie

The main character in the film 'Mängelexemplar' is mid-20-year-old Karo, who is increasingly becoming a problem for herself: the emotional and sometimes selfish Berliner loses her job, has stress with her mother and also with men. Thinking about her future, she is beset by panic attacks and decides to seek treatment. But instead of slowly tackling her diagnosed depression, Karo sets about cleaning up her life at full throttle. From now on, she wants to do everything right - and has the opposite effect. Only gradually does she learn that she cannot beat the illness this way. The film 'Mängelexemplar' is based on the novel of the same name by author and TV presenter Sarah Kuttner. The leading roles are played by Claudia Eisinger, Katja Riemann and Laura Tonke, among others.

Further information 
Focus on depression treatment

Freiburg Alliance against Depression e.V.

Contact 
Prof. Dr. Christoph Nissen 
Managing Senior Physician 
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy 
Medical Center - University of Freiburg 
Phone: 0761 270-65010 
christoph.nissen@uniklinik-freiburg.de

Stefanie Hirth 
Head/coordination 
Freiburg Alliance against Depression 
Phone: 0761 270-69000