Empathic, determined, proactive: ApK as a partner for political co-operation.
We firmly believe that in order to fully support relatives and friends of people with a mental problem we need to be politically committed. We campaign for a holistic and systemic approach to the crises of the social networks surrounding people with mental health issues. Work with those secondarily affected is an enormously important resource and has a direct impact on the people affected, the institutions involved and the care system as a whole.
The ApK is committed to working towards overcoming discrimination, injustice and inadequate structures. We publicise and raise awareness for the needs of friends and relatives, including under-age children. We support the view that family members and friends have a right to their own position and that they are fully entitled to have their interests taken into account in political decisions. The core objective of the political work is therefore to promote awareness of and respect for the needs and limits of those secondarily affected by mental problems.
We are a voting member of the Berlin State Advisory Council for Mental Health.
We promote individuals’ active involvement.
The ApK welcomes all family members and friends wanting to join us in our political activities. We are working towards a deepening political involvement in order to fulfil our political responsibility to the full. We also encourage family members to become involved not only in small forums, but also in the work of providers, institutions, the broader public and other relevant actors. We are convinced that the political involvement of individuals can lead to a sustainable improvement of the general care situation and we are always pleased to see new partners join our cause.
We are happy to tell you more about the political work of the ApK - contact us to find out how you can make a personal contribution. We look forward to seeing you.
- Open doors in the psychiatric care facility – A matter of course?!
Despite all efforts to enlighten the public and spread information, there are still prejudices towards Persons with mental health issues. With its biased and often stigmatizing coverage, the media landscape makes things all the more difficult for persons struggling to cope with mental health crises and for their relatives.
The ensuing (public) call for locked psychiatric wards has become disproportionately loud—lacking, as it does, reflection about the human rights violations and human suffering that come about as a result. Moreover, it fails to consider scientific evidence: A number of clinics in Germany offer proof that locked ward doors are entirely unnecessary, even in in-patient wards. After all, an open door does not mean that patients may leave the ward at any time on their responsibility.
Modern psychiatry aims to encourage patients’ self-determination, preserve their autonomy, and prevent forced intervention.1
Ultimately, when it comes to supporting and treating people in exceptional mental health situations, we (also) need to consider the relationship between human dignity2 , autonomy, and care.
Appropriate concepts3 are needed to meet these aims and aspirations. And it takes qualified personnel. Experience shows that simply the attention and awareness of trained staff on the wards has a positive impact on the atmosphere: Stress levels in everyday ward life can be reduced and tensions can be eased on both sides, for staff and patients alike. The “open doors” concept for the acute-care psychiatric ward promotes precisely this partnership-based and patient-oriented approach.
For the staff, the focus shifts from the aspect of control to the building and shaping of relationships. This brings about a better atmosphere on the ward along with a greater sense of safety. And it results in higher acceptance on the part of patients and their relatives.4
Psychiatry thus regains the trust that should be the basis of therapy.
“Open Doors” in psychiatry? – Yes, of course!
1Deutsches Institut für Menschenrechte (German Institute for Human Rights)_ https://www.institut-fuer-menschenrechte.de/fileadmin/Redaktion/Publika… (retrieved on 25 July 2024).
2Human dignity means the right not to be humiliated and thus the ability to preserve self-respect.
3Open Dialogue, Awareness, Recovery Concept, Empowerment, EX-In, Salutogenesis, Need-Adapted Treatment, Safewards Model, etc.
4https://www.fh-diakonie.de/obj/Bilder_und_Dokumente/Fachtag_Insights/Ar…
Your team at ApK Berlin