First Essen Summer School: Focus on gender-sensitive medicine!

First Essen Summer School: Focus on gender-sensitive medicine!

The first Essen Summer School SPIRIT will take place from September 1st to 5th, 2025. This event, which is organized by the Institute for Gender-Sensitive Medicine at the Medical Faculty of the University of Duisburg-Essen, aims to focus on the gender fluidity of mental illnesses and to improve diagnoses and therapies accordingly. More than a quarter of adults are expected to be affected by mental illness in a 12-month period, but only fewer than 20 percent seek professional help. The summer school therefore offers an important platform for exchange and further training in this area. uni-due.de reports that…

Particularly noteworthy are the gender differences that are discussed in the event. Women are statistically more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders, while men are more likely to suffer from ADHD or autism. These differences are also reflected in the perception of the causes of mental illness: while women often emphasize psychological triggers, men tend to favor physical factors. Understanding these gender-specific effects is crucial for the development of preventative measures and therapeutic concepts.

Diverse program and access

The Summer School program is aimed at students and researchers and includes a variety of formats. This includes lectures, workshops, self-help groups and sessions with simulation participants. The event will take place on the premises of the Teaching and Learning Center of the Faculty of Medicine, and on the last day participants can expect a public event with a key note, a panel discussion and an exhibition. Participation is free, but the number of participants is limited. Registrations are due by email by May 31, 2025 igsm@uni-due.de possible.

Modern prevention strategies and therapeutic approaches that take gender-specific differences into account are becoming increasingly important for mental health. These approaches aim to provide more effective and individualized treatment and recognize the unique experiences and needs of men and women. inhesa.de points out that…

Gender-sensitive therapies

Gender-sensitive prevention often begins in adolescence and is tailored to the specific challenges and development phases of girls and boys. Taking different communication and processing styles into account plays a crucial role in therapy. Forms of therapy that emphasize emotional expression and social support are particularly effective for women. For men, on the other hand, problem-solving approaches that focus on promoting emotional competence are advantageous.

In addition to these approaches, there are targeted stress management programs designed to address the different stressors and coping mechanisms of the genders. gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de explains that…

A comprehensive analysis of population studies has helped to identify differences and similarities in the trajectories and symptoms of mental illness. These studies provide insights into gender-specific vulnerable phases across the lifespan and help to identify protective factors and risks for psychological stress. The findings should not only be important for those affected, but also for specialists and the broader public in order to develop targeted measures for gender-sensitive prevention.