Philipp Wesemann was 26 years old when he got the diagnosis of Burn-Out. At this time, in December 2016, he has been a good year mayor in Forst in Lusatia. As the youngest full-time mayor in the state of Brandenburg, he felt great pressure from colleagues, the media and citizens. He regularly worked 80 hours per week, until he drew the final stroke.
What would have helped the social Democrats at the time, he says, would have been a network of young mayor. A contact person who can provide tips. As a network, whose members are under 40, was launched on Tuesday with a first event at Alexanderplatz. Initiated by Michael Solomon, when he took office in 2014, the youngest mayor in Germany.
With 25 Solomon took over the management of the municipality Haßmersheim, Baden-Württemberg: “I made my Hobby my profession,” he says today. Of the event he expects a bipartisan, open exchange of ideas with young colleagues. In the case of a Workshop is to be discussed, whether in this network, a club or an organization is created whether the exchange is conducted via WhatsApp or other channels.
Philipp Wesemann, short blonde hair, black suit, rimless glasses, has similar hopes. You can see at today’s event, around 40 mayors have come, that the need is there. Young colleagues, you have confidence in often less, which is why they are also less supported. “It is urged as a young politician, often in a corner.”
The 29-Year-old to the young colleagues from a fate like his store. He appeared as a local branch Chairman of the forest against the elderly, Vice-mayor and won. “He was probably upset and several people thought then we make it difficult for the now the life.” The job is as mayor of a Job, you must always exercise. “Even during the Easter stroll will be addressed by citizens, and must tackle with their problems.”
“I was simply not responsive”
don’t get The Burn-Out saw Wesemann anyway. Until he collapsed one Morning in December. “I was simply not responsive. I don’t know exactly what happened. I had only a day to call in sick, but my Partner carried me to the doctor.“ The diagnosed Burn-Out, and advised him immediately to the profession and to start a psychotherapy. Wesemann listened to his doctor. For a year he worked, attended therapy sessions, supported by partners, friends and party members, and took long walks with the dog Billy in nature. Since a rehab stay, he was completely healed. During his absence his office was run by the Deputy until Wesemann lost by an opt out request to be mayor.
Today, the 29 says-Year-old, the disease was for him a great lesson. “I’ve learned how not to make policy. If you want to make good policy, you have to make compromises. You must not go with the head through the wall and must also pay attention to the feelings of others.“ Wesemann has made in the meantime, self-employed and advises elected officials and the mayor. A life without politics he can’t even imagine. Currently, he is running for the city Parliament in his new political home to Werder on the river Havel, in the long term, he would like to sit, perhaps, in the Brandenburg Landtag. But one thing was more important to him than the political success: “I hope that I could keep until then, many of my colleagues before my illness.”
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