New offer from the paediatric and youth medical service
Initial psychological counselling at the Office for Health and Prevention - Child psychologist to offer telephone consultations from March
From March, the child and youth medical service at the Office for Health and Prevention of the City of Chemnitz will be expanding its services for families to include open telephone consultation hours: every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, parents and others involved in raising children in Chemnitz can obtain individual advice from a child psychologist on 0371 488 5336. In a short conversation with qualified psychologist Mandy Erdtel, initial questions can be clarified, information on further offers of help can be shared or further appointments can be arranged. This service is aimed equally at families with an interest in developmental psychology, insecure and stressed parents and families with children in special life situations. In all cases, the child is the focus of the counselling.
The psychologist joined the paediatric and youth medical service team in April 2023. "We are delighted that the paediatric and youth medical service team is now also supported by a psychological specialist. We were able to fill this position again last year," says Katja Uhlemann, Head of the Department of Health and Prevention.
"A large part of my work here arises from the statutory examinations, for example the school admission examinations," explains psychologist Mandy Erdtel. "Many developmental issues can be addressed and questions clarified in the discussions between families and doctors. However, some things are too complex or the examination time is simply not enough to assess the child's situation sufficiently well. In order to make room for this, families can then make use of a consultation with me. Together, we can then discuss specific issues and focus on them. The entire team from the paediatric and adolescent medical service works closely together and there is a seamless transition from medical to psychological issues.
Children understand the world, try to influence it and find their own place in it. Every child and every family does this in a very personal way. In order to support this development in the best possible way, families in Chemnitz are not left alone. Specialists at daycare centres, schools and family counselling centres offer active support. But not everything always goes smoothly. If stress persists for a long time, it can have a detrimental effect on the development of adolescents and pose major challenges for everyone involved. The earlier abnormalities are recognised, the faster families can receive long-term and sustainable help.