Olympic champion Rösch on depression: Was mentally dead

Months of vegetation

In the 2011/12 season, he missed out on the home World Championships in Ruhpolding despite meeting the World Championships standard, and even before that he experienced moments of panic. At the suggestion of his manager, he then decided to switch nations to Belgium and gave up his civil servant status with the federal police to do so. However, because the transfer dragged on until January 2014, he had his first "approach of suicidal thoughts" in January 2013.

In 2015, too, a diagnosis of glandular fever and a torn Achilles tendon a few days after an operation led to a "life-threatening situation. The months that followed were like vegetating," said Rösch.

Fog turns to blue sky

First after his career ended in 2019 and an emotional breakdown, he went to the emergency room for the first time in May 2019. The diagnosis was followed by medication and over 50 therapy sessions. "It was like a fog - and suddenly there was blue sky," said Rösch.

He had to learn to live with his vulnerability. Even now, setbacks cannot be ruled out. "Therapy is not a finished process," said Rösch. His advice to other sufferers: "Seek help!"

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