Pfalzklinikum für Psychiatrie

In Germany the number of sick leave days due to mental disorders has risen continuously over the last few years. In 2012 mental disorders ranked third in causes for incapacity to work. There has also been a lot of discussion to what extent this is due to a general increase in this disease or to whether, a) on the one hand, successful public relations activities have led to a reduction of the stigmatisation, or, b) on the other hand, the general practitioners’ knowledge on the subject of depression could be improved. Against this background the following article outlines the implementation and the activities of a regional Alliance Against Depression in the region of LandauSüdliche Weinstraße. This is a region in south-western Germany which covers a surface area of about 640 km² where approximately 152,400 people live.