A recent study of 6000 metal fans revealed that many of them have already had experience with the Black Dog.
Forty percent of respondents in the sample stated that "metal has saved my life at some point." This includes the author of the study and the book Hard, Heavy & Happy himself: our Metality member and certified psychologist Dr. Nico Rose.
In the Black Dog social project, we have made it our mission to bring the topic of depression into the mainstream of society. We focus on depression in general and not on accompanying conditions such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, cancer, addiction, etc.
Depression is a taboo illness. Many sufferers are afraid to talk about it. As a result, they and their loved ones are drawn ever deeper into a downward spiral of stigma, guilt, overwhelm, and loneliness. We want to contribute to breaking the taboo and stigma surrounding the topic and raise awareness so that depression is perceived as a serious illness—not a weakness.
For this purpose, we developed the "festival wristband" with the Black Dog logo. Wearing it discreetly signals that you are open to the topic and want to raise awareness of it in society – either as someone affected themselves, as a relative, or simply as someone with a listening ear. While it can't provide professional help, it is approachable and can handle it discreetly and carefully. The Black Dog wristband is free and can be ordered here.
- What can we do & what can't we do
- The idea behind the Black Dog wristband
- What is Black Dog
- offers of help
- Media
We want to raise awareness and make depression more visible in society through:
- An external identification mark: the Black Dog (festival) wristband,
- The promotion of exchange of ideas and experiences with and for those affected and their relatives through
-
- Publications, for example, via social media and
- Events in public (e.g. at Metality information stands or through our own (Metality) Black Dog events).
We cannot and are NOT allowed to provide professional advice on mental illnesses because:
- we do not provide professional expertise,
- we are not therapists,
- we are not a self-help group,
- We do not provide any assistance or arrange any therapy options or similar services.
-
Giving tips to affected people can have serious (legal) consequences for both the association and the affected people (e.g. if someone subsequently commits suicide).
The idea behind the Black Dog wristband
Rudi, the idea generator and initiator of the project, once put it this way:
"I watched my friend start a conversation with a complete stranger about his extensive collection of festival wristbands on his forearm, and they discussed it for a long time. This gave me the idea of using a wristband to discreetly draw attention to the fact that the wearer is dealing with the stigmatizing topic openly and impartially."
Thus, the project was born, and it became a great success. Tens of thousands of volumes have since been circulated, breaking the wall of silence.
By wearing it, you're signaling: Yes, I'm familiar with the topic of depression. Whether as someone affected myself, through experience in my personal environment, or simply because I'm sensitive to it. Yes, you can talk to me about it, you can talk openly about it. You're not alone.
We're often asked what the Black Dog is all about and what it has to do with depression. Well, behind the Black Dog lies a metaphor—an attempt to explain the illness of depression. We were so impressed by the Black Dog metaphor, which so many writers, painters, and singers have evocatively portrayed, that we also named our funded project after it.
The history of the Black Dog (as a harbinger of death) can be traced back to Celtic times. However, it was probably the writer Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) who first made the connection to depression. Winston Churchill then popularized the "Black Dog" metaphor.
Some people describe their depression as if they were accompanied by a black dog. This dog isn't real—it symbolizes the sadness, exhaustion, and dark thoughts that often cannot be explained.
When the Black Dog is there, everything feels heavy. Things that would otherwise be enjoyable lose their meaning. You feel tired, sad, and withdrawn. The dog follows you everywhere, whispering doubts in your ear.
But as powerful as it seems, you can learn to deal with it. Help is available: through conversation, therapy, or medication. Many people manage to make the black dog smaller, quieter, or disappear completely. Depression is treatable—and there is hope for a cure.
The path to healing is different for everyone who has the Black Dog in their life. For some, it takes many years. But the important thing is to never give up the fight.
If you are going through hell, keep going (Winston Churchill)
DO YOU NEED URGENT HELP?
Here we have compiled some telephone numbers for you |
|
| Telephone counseling | 0800 1110111 |
| 0800 1110222 | |
| Helpline for trouble (for young people & children) | 116 111 |
| Medical emergency service / patient service | 116 117 |
| Emergency call | 112 |
I need help! Who can I turn to? - Alternative support services
Admitting to yourself that you have a mental illness is a big step. But it's the most important step because it's the first. Now you're ready to get help.
The first point of contact is usually your family doctor. Many family doctors are well versed in the treatment of depression and can work with you on the further path to therapy with a psychotherapist.
Unfortunately, this often doesn't work. In most regions, the number of those affected significantly exceeds the capacity of the existing therapists. And so, if in doubt, you have to wait many months for a treatment center, even though quick help is so much needed.
We would like to offer a selection of alternative help centres here,
Offer in your community or city |
Possible services or referral to… |
| parish |
Pastoral care, local self-help groups |
|
Welfare associations |
support groups |
|
Hospitals |
own therapy offers, hospital support groups or self-help groups, reference to the nearest specialized hospitals / clinics |
|
Psychological day clinic |
own program |
|
Company doctor / Works council / Representative / Employer |
Employee Assistance Program (EAP), or similar A company doctor may refer to specialists or groups if necessary |
|
family doctor |
Information about established therapists in the area, possibly also other institutions The family doctor will issue a referral and can issue a referral code ("urgency code"). This allows you to get a (one-time) appointment with a psychologist or therapist at short notice via the on-call medical service (Tel. 116 117). |
| Universities where prospective therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists study |
Students in advanced semesters need patients with whom they can conduct therapy sessions under specialist medical supervision |
| Online offers | Services |
|
Search engine to find therapists nearby; information service |
|
|
Information service |
|
|
Information service specifically for children and young people |
|
|
Website of the German Society for Suicide Prevention. Information service and support services. |
|
|
Information service |
