Bad development

More and more girls need help

The "Verein Amazone" offers counseling for girls - and much more.(Bild: Verein Amazone)

The problems of girls and young women are increasing massively for a variety of reasons. Counseling centers such as the "Amazone" association in Bregenz are sounding the alarm due to a lack of resources for support.

In recent years, the demand for counseling for girls in Vorarlberg has risen sharply. From 2022 to 2023 alone, the relevant centers recorded an average increase of 30 percent, some even more. "The problems are becoming increasingly complex and multi-layered, and counseling sessions are taking up more time," reports Angelika Atzinger, Managing Director of the "Amazone" association. They deal with depressive moods, exhaustion, eating disorders, self-harming behavior, anxiety, securing a livelihood, violence, relationships, work and education, sexuality and identity. "In particular, there has been a sharp increase in consultations on psychological and physical complaints."