News

The Wemenders Foundation and the PZU Foundation together against depression

In October 2012, the PZU Foundation has become a strategic partner of the Wemenders Foundation. The first Wemenders project supported by the PZU Foundation is a series of open, free lectures held under the slogan "Depresja to nie tabu" for students and teaching staff of universities throughout the country. The aim of the project is to raise public awareness of this serious disease, and to familiarize with ways of dealing with it.

The "Depresja to nie tabu" program draws attention to the growing problem of the disease among young people. The Foundation focuses its attention on the students, because more and more young people are visiting psychological counseling centers with symptoms of depression. Akademickie Centrum Psychoterapii i Rozwoju SWPS (the SWPS University Psychotherapy and Development Center) reports, that within the last three years the age of people who visit counseling centers has decreased significantly. More than 60% of patients are less than 26 years old. It is estimated that in Poland there may be 2% of children and as many as 4% of young people suffering from depression who need treatment. Their depressive disorders may be associated with the experience of violence, the loss of a loved one, problems with learning or stressful situations in the family, for which children and young people often blame themselves.

The Wemenders Foundation carries out activities aimed at raising public awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of depression. The organization focuses on public education, it is also a point of communication between professionals and patients.

The PZU Foundation is a corporate foundation operating since 2004 at the side of the PZU Group, one of the largest financial institutions in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. The PZU Foundation's basic method of operating is providing funds carried out within the grant programs and out-of-competition grants. In accordance with the provisions formulated in the mission of the Foundation and in the statutes, the Foundation's activities are focused on evening the chances of people with various disabilities, increasing access to cultural and social life as well as supporting the development of individuals and social groups.

The PZU Foundation supports the work of the Wemenders Foundation in all areas of its activity by carrying out projects addressed to students and patients suffering from mental health problems.