Jungle Camp: How Zoe Saip Is Stigmatized As A Mentally Ill

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Jungle Camp 2021
How Zoe Saip is stigmatized as the mentally ill

Zoe Saip and Frank Fussbroich

© TVNOW / Stefan Gregorowius

Julia Seiffert

by Julia Seiffert

In the jungle camp in 2021, Zoe Saip is considered the "Drama Queen", for Frank Fussbroich she is "broken in the head". The big problem: She talks about her mental illness and what has to happen happens: She is not taken seriously.

I am stunned and angry when I visit the jungle camp last Saturday evening (January 16). Could it be that people still don't take mental illness seriously? The conversation between Zoe Saip and Frank Fussbroich, described by RTL as a "therapy talk of a different kind", proves: Yes, it can.

Jungle camp 2021: Zoe Saip is sick and not "balla balla"

But what happened? The former GNTM participant is devastated and cries after the first lost exam on the RTL show "I'm a Star – The Great Jungle Show". She was locked in a container filled with water and animals. Zoe was scared to death and her panic was out of control.

In the subsequent conversation with camp colleague Frank Fussbroich, the 21-year-old opens up and reveals: "I've been in therapy for six months." She suffers from claustrophobia (claustrophobia), has family difficulties and a problem with her panic.

"You are broken in the head"

Frank Fussbroich reacts with sentences like: "Oh now stop, you apparently have everything. (…) But you're a difficult child, aren't you? (…) Are you so balla balla (crazy in the head)? (…) You are broken in the head. Hit your head against the wall. Maybe then. "

The answers of the TV personality leave you speechless, but unfortunately they are representative of many people who have prejudices against mentally ill people. The reason: Usually it is due to the lack of clarification. Many healthy people cannot understand what, for example, panic disorder feels like. They have difficulty recognizing mental disorders as a disease and taking them seriously.

Fatal: Zoe is stigmatized by her camp colleague and some spectators

This is also shown by the Instagram comments during the conversation by Zoe and Frank: "He's right, she's not ticking right," writes a user. Another says: "Old crybaby, can go home." Some accuse Zoe of trying to get attention with her behavior.

Zoe's mental illness is associated with negative character traits. This stigmatizes her. Due to prejudices and a lack of knowledge, people often develop a critical attitude towards those affected. These are discriminated against and excluded from society.

The consequence of stigma

Conversely, this means: the mentally ill do not admit to themselves that they are sick, because they do not want to be seen as "crazy" or "crazy". You don't want to be put in an "asylum" or a "straitjacket". That is fatal.

Those affected who are already struggling with themselves then have to cope with the pressure from outside. A pressure that many cannot withstand. Mental illnesses often go undetected. Those affected withdraw and suffer without being helped.

Important note for those affected:
Do you suffer from depression, have thoughts of suicide or do you know someone who has voiced them before? The telephone counseling offers help. It is anonymous, free and available around the clock at 0800/1110111 and 0800/1110222. A list of nationwide aid agencies can be found on the website of the German Society for Suicide Prevention.

Mental illnesses need to be taken seriously

But it doesn't have to come to that. We have to start taking those affected seriously and listening to them properly. We must begin to think of a mental hospital as a surgical ward in a hospital. It is not a broken leg that is treated here, but a sick head. We have to stop stigmatizing people like Zoe. She doesn't want any attention. She doesn't act like that – like nobody breaks a leg, does she?

Sources used:TVNOW "I'm a Star – The Great Jungle Show"

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