http://www.bundesliga.de/en/liga/news/2009/index.phpBundesliga08.11.2010 20:29:07
Remembering Robert Enke, tackling depression
Robert Enke, * 24th August 1977 in Jena; 10th November 2009 in Neustadt am Rübenberge
Hamburg - This Wednesday (November 10th), it will be a year to the day since Robert Enke died. His family will mark the occasion quietly at his graveside, along with German FA president Theo Zwanziger and other high-ranking DFB officials.The suicide of the Hannover 96 and Germany goalkeeper at the age of 32 shook the nation and opened a major debate about the illness that caused it: depression.
Taboo subjectIn an emotional speech at the time, Zwanziger appealed to sufferers to discuss their condition openly, rather than carrying on in silence. He was not the only one surprised to learn that in Germany alone an estimated four million people are battling with depression, the vast majority of them in isolation. So often a taboo subject, the illness now had a very public face that of Robert Enke.
A documentary airing for the first time on pay-TV broadcaster Sky on Wednesday (November 10th), Robert Enke a year on, looks at what, if anything, has changed regarding attitudes to depression the interim. "There's no one defining symptom of depression. It's an illness with many faces. That's why it's so difficult to explain to those who don't have it, Professor of psychology Dr. Ulrich Hegerl points out on the programme.
"Press conference saved my life"In the wake of all the debate and soul-searching that followed Enke's death, FC St. Pauli's Andreas Biermann was the only one of 1,250 players in Germany's three professional divisions to go public about his own depression. "We watched the press conference with Mrs. Enke (Teresa, Robert's widow, ed.) in the changing rooms before the start of training, Biermann recalls in the documentary: "I felt right off that her description of her husband Robert could equally apply to me. I went to the coach straight away and asked if I could talk to him. After that, the club really helped me a lot.
Today, Biermann is without a job. Even Third Division clubs have shown no interest in the experienced 30-year-old defender. "On a personal level, that press conference was a huge help it actually saved my life, says Biermann, who admits he was himself twice close to stepping over the threshold. "Professionally though, coming out on this has had a negative impact on my career.
Recognising the symptomsKeeping depression in the public eye is one of the guiding principles of the Robert Enke Foundation, which Teresa heads. "The senselessness of Robert's death has to be of some help to others. That's a consolation for me, she says: "I was very glad of course to hear that Andreas Biermann believes my press conference practically saved his life. I hope we can reach a lot more people yet.
As well as shedding light on the phenomenon of depression, the foundation also aims to provide information on recognising and reacting to early symptoms of the illness. Prospective professional coaches earning their badge at the Cologne sports academy are now being taught to do just that.
Long way to go"It's important that those not affected by depression accept it is an illness says Jan Baßler, managing director of the foundation: "That's the only way to really gain access to sufferers.
For Teresa Enke, "Sympathy on the part of the club, on the part of the employer, would be a good start. At the moment, you can't expect much more. A year after his death, Robert Enke's brave widow knows there is still a long way to go before depression is universally recognised for the genuine illness it is.
Jürgen Blöhs / adaptation Angus Davison
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