Mental Load. Wer kümmert sich… um den Familienalltag?

• As part of the series Who cares?! A series of talks about those who care

Everyday family life is full of tasks that need to be organized. It is not uncommon for these to place a mental burden and even overload on the carer. "Mental load" refers to the psychological burden that arises from the constant organization of everyday tasks - especially when there is a multiple burden of work, family and household.
It is often women and mothers who have to "think of everything" to make everyday family life work. They feel stressed and overloaded. High levels of constant stress also have health consequences, from sleep problems and migraines to burnout. We ask: What are the consequences of constant mental stress for parents? (Why) Are mothers affected more often? How can mental care work be reduced? How can the mental health of parents be strengthened so that everyday family life can succeed on an equal footing?

With:

• Prof. Dr. Susan Garthus-Niegel, psychologist and head of the "Dresden Study on Parenthood, Work and Mental Health", Dresden University of Technology
• Annegret Otto, psychologist, mother/father/child prevention clinic Grünhain
• Sascha Verlan, literary scholar, journalist and author of Equal Care - Über Fürsorge und Gesellschaft (Verbrecher Verlag 2020) and co-initiator of the "Equal Care Day"

Moderation: Kristin Heinig, German Hygiene Museum

The event takes place in the accompanying program of the exhibition on mental health "Wie geht's?" (March 7, 2026 to April 4, 2027 at the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum).