When buying the butter pretzel, it’s worth taking a closer look: 650 bakery branches throughout Bavaria are currently handing out printed bakery bags with a telephone number for anyone who is in emotional distress. Katjenka Wild, the technical director of the control center of the Bavarian Crisis Services in the Upper Palatinate, helped develop the project and explains what the printed bakery bag on the kitchen table can do.
SZ: Ms. Wild, is the crisis hotline of the Bavarian crisis services not well known?
Katjka Wild: The Bavarian crisis services have only been around for two years. We have a control center in each of the seven Bavarian districts. On average, we receive 225 calls a day, totaling 82,473 last year. It’s not small, but we want to reach as many people as possible, want them to know that this number exists. That there is someone there for them when they get into a crisis and that they can also get help. That’s why we are grateful to all Bavarian guild bakers who are taking part in the bakery bags campaign for their support.
When should you pick up the phone?
That’s subjective. Anyone who feels in crisis can call us. We don’t rate that. A situation that one person copes well with can throw another into distress.
Can talking help?
Absolutely. We give people a lot of space to be able to tell stories. This makes them feel seen with their topic and their burdens. That alone has a great effect, giving them stability and calming them down. We then sort together what is the greatest burden and what could help.
Katjenka Wild is the technical director of the control center of the Bavarian crisis services in the Upper Palatinate.
(Photo: Isabelle Lemberger)
You sit on the phone yourself. What do you learn there?
The conversations often begin in a dramatic and highly charged manner. And when people can talk about it, they’re incredibly grateful. We almost always experience crises as something threatening. You are alone, overwhelmed. That’s scary. One of the most important experiences in such moments is not to be alone.
Do you think the conversation prevents worse?
Yes, that is the idea and the attitude of the Bavarian crisis services. The sooner a person in need has a professional counterpart, the better. Crisis talk can prevent someone from falling and sinking further. It is fundamentally important to learn that you can get help. So that you can do something about this situation that feels so powerful and powerless.
Who reports most often?
Those affected themselves, often because of fears, depression or problems in the partnership and family. Relatives and colleagues also call.
Do some people ask if they can call again?
Yes, and they are allowed. We have multiple callers. But of course we are a crisis hotline for acute emergencies. We then try to refer people to outpatient services or to the clinics.
If there was a place there…
That’s a problem sometimes. There are waiting times. Then we help to bridge. We are also well networked in the region and can sometimes arrange other offers.
The bakery bags were also your idea. What are your hopes?
Mental crises are still taboo. We want people to accept them as something everyday that can happen to anyone. With the bakery bag, the crisis becomes a bit more everyday.
The Crisis services Bavaria – immediate help in mental emergencies can be reached free of charge around the clock on 0800/655 3000, including on Sundays and public holidays.
Editor’s note: The first point of contact if you suspect depression or suicidal thoughts are general practitioners, psychiatrists or psychological psychotherapists. Those affected and their relatives can also contact the German Depression Aid contact: Info-Telephone 0800 33 44 5 33 (free of charge).