“When we become familiar with something, we also have a responsibility for it.”
Depression, anxiety, and personal crises have long been among the greatest challenges of our time. Nevertheless, many people seek quick fixes—a diagnosis, a pill, or a simple prescription. But mental health does not come from suppression, but rather from personal responsibility, self-reflection, and the courage to confront one’s own dark sides. Constant sensory overload and social polarization highlight how important it is to consciously shape one’s own space for action between stimulus and response.
“Depression is not just a biochemical accident, but an interaction between genetics, personal history, and environment.”
Psychiatrist and psychotherapist Dr. Pablo Hagemeyer explains why stories and metaphors often reveal more about mental illness than diagnoses do. He describes why depression is far more than a brain disorder, why therapy is always about building relationships, and why hope arises not from perfection but from small, lasting changes. In doing so, he combines modern psychotherapy with the ideas of C. G. Jung, Viktor Frankl, and current scientific findings. The discussion also covers the importance of self-worth and meaning, genetic predispositions, and neuroplasticity. Georgiy Michailov and Dr. Pablo Hagemeyer discuss AI as a potential therapy partner, as well as the question of why empathy could become the decisive skill of the future.
*Video only in German
SMP LeaderTalks
