Mental health in focus at new show in Dresden

Mental health struggles go beyond a broken heart or just being fed up - but affect most of us at some point in our lives, research shows.

The German Hygiene Museum in Dresden is dedicating a new exhibition to the problem in a show called "How are you?"

It seeks to raise awareness of illnesses that are not always visible - but are increasingly widespread.

One in four people experience mental health issues, says the World Health Organization - noting there are around 1 billion sufferers.

We hear about the different kinds of loneliness in the exhibition, with sociologist Claudia Neu naming emotional, social and collective loneliness.

The number of us feeling lonely soared during the pandemic and the effects continue, affecting children and young people in particular.

Museum boss Iris Edenheiser notes a significant increase in mental health issues due to the pandemic, and also points to the digitalization of everyday life plus global crises.

The line between healthy and sick is much more fluid than one might think, she adds.

While awareness of such illnesses is growing, talking about them is often still taboo, with some of us worried how people might respond, or that we might lose our jobs.

While illnesses such as depression, burnout and ADHD are becoming increasingly socially acceptable, psychosis and addiction are becoming more and more stigmatized.

That's why the museum takes artistic, media and interactive approaches to make everyone feel included. There are also spaces to retreat and ask about ways to find help.

The show opens on Saturday and runs until April 4.