150 years of psychiatry in Ueckermünde: dealing with dark chapters!

150 years of psychiatry in Ueckermünde: dealing with dark chapters!

A very special anniversary is being celebrated in Ueckermünde this year: Psychiatry is looking back on 150 years of its existence. In order to properly honor the dark history of this institution, especially during the Nazi era, a new book will be presented on June 18, 2025: "From the 'institution boom' to the Nazi murder. Psychiatry in Ueckermünde and Pomerania in the 19th and 20th centuries". The medical historian Dr. Kathleen Haack is the author and has evaluated numerous historical patient files to shed more light on the tragic fates of mentally ill people during this dark time.

Stephan Freitag, the board member of the AMEOS Group, emphasizes the importance of coming to terms with the past: “Transparency about the past and clarification about the fates of former patients are of essential importance.” These insights are particularly important in light of Dr. Haack's findings are shocking: around 4,000 mentally ill people were killed or sent to their deaths in Ueckermünde during the Nazi era. Many others suffered the fate of forced sterilization. It becomes clear again and again what a dramatic change psychiatry underwent at the beginning of the 20th century - from a humanistic approach to ideological radicalization.

Honor for research work

The research work of Anja Baum and Dr. Kathleen Haack was not only recognized in science, but was also recently awarded an honorary award. As part of the presentation of the Johannes Stelling Prize, organized by the SPD parliamentary group, the two women were honored for their commitment to coming to terms with the history of psychiatry in Ueckermünde. This recognition underlines the importance of the culture of remembrance, which is of great importance for future generations.

The project also deals with the rehabilitation of psychiatric hospitals from 1875 to 1945. Students from the Greifen-Gymnasium also deal with this topic and had the opportunity to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial. Under the guidance of Dr. Haack, the students laid a wreath at the memorial stone for the euthanasia victims and learned how to deal with this topic in an impressive way.

A terrible legacy

The dark history of psychiatry under National Socialism is marked by frightening figures and facts. According to estimates, at least 250,000 mentally ill and disabled people fell victim to the Nazis' cruel euthanasia program. Psychiatrists were actively involved in the forced sterilization of up to 400,000 people. Not only mental illnesses, but also social and ethnic characteristics were often cited as reasons for the killing.

The law on the “Prevention of Hereditary Diseases” introduced on July 14, 1933 set the course for the systematic extermination of people. As part of the so-called “Action T4”, killings were carried out en masse and without personal verification under the pretext of reducing the value of life of these people. Psychiatrists made decisions about life and death here, according to Hitler's authorization letter from October 1939, which legalized these murderous acts.

In conclusion, it can be said that coming to terms with these dark chapters of history is not only important for Ueckermünde, but for society as a whole. The planned book and the in-depth research by Dr. Haack and her colleagues take an important step towards a deeper understanding of individual fates and the importance of remembering this time.

If you don't want to miss the book presentation on June 18, 2025, you should mark the date in your calendar. The event starts at 3:00 p.m. in the Ueckermünde cinema and is free. In addition to the book presentation, there will also be a panel discussion with Dr. Haack, relatives of victims and Stephan Freitag - a good opportunity to deal with history and not forget the past.

For more information about the book and the event, you can read the details in the articles from Uecker-Randow and Northern Courier read about it as well as further background information on psychiatry under National Socialism DGPPN experience.