Trier woman's initiative 'Mutmachpost': bringing hope amid loneliness
Overcoming Loneliness with "Courage Letters" and "Motivational Coins": Yvonne Bohrer's Crusade Against Isolation
In a world where loneliness can touch anyone, irrespective of age or profession, Yvonne Bohrer from Trier shares her personal battle with isolation in an attempt to inspire others.
Experiencing a challenging childhood with her parents' divorce and the subsequent financial struggle, Bohrer felt the sting of loneliness. "Loneliness feels like being unseen, in a silence that threatens to shatter you. Loneliness makes you question your self-worth as a human being," she reveals.
Her encounters with bullying at school and family discord deepened that sense of isolation, but they also sparked an inner vow – to offer hope and encouragement in the future.
A Nationwide Effort Against Loneliness
From May 26 to June 1, 2025, the third "Together Against Loneliness" action week will take place across Germany. The aim is to bring support resources to the forefront and drive awareness of loneliness as a societal issue, as part of the federal government's strategy against loneliness.
Yvonne Bohrer's Life's Work: "Courage Letters"
Inspired by community initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bohrer started her project, "Courage Letters," nearly three years ago. Filled with crafts, stories, and poems, her letters serve to bolster hope and solidarity, reaching close to 3,000 recipients thus far.
Bohrer directs her letters primarily to organizations that cater to cancer patients, people in challenging circumstances, and nursing homes, working voluntarily amid her job as a kindergarten teacher in Trier.
The Majority of Germans Struggle with Loneliness
The 2024 Loneliness report by Techniker Krankenkasse indicates that loneliness is a widespread issue in Germany, with approximately 60 percent of the population reporting feelings of loneliness, albeit at varying frequencies. The study also highlights that younger individuals, aged 18 to 39, are disproportionately affected by loneliness.
Embracing Solidarity: "Motivational Coins"
Recognizing the needs of isolated individuals not reached by associations, Bohrer has expanded her crusade with "Motivational Coins." Engraved with messages such as "You are Wonderful" and "You are Enough," these coins serve as symbolic reminders of support and resilience, hidden in parks, on hikes, and in public spaces.
"Finding change has proven difficult, as banks impose high processing fees, leaving half of Trier on the hunt for these hidden gems," Bohrer explains with a laugh.
Responsive Reactions to Her Coins
Sometimes, Bohrer gets the chance to observe how her coins impact their finders: "I placed a coin on a city center stone, and a child then picked it up, exclaiming to its mother, 'Look, I found a million euros!' The mother looked at the coin and said, 'For the heart, it's definitely worth a million euros.'"
Awareness Toward a Broader Problem
Bohrer notes that loneliness is often underestimated, as one may assume that a person who is alone is lonely. However, she emphasizes, "One may be surrounded by thousands and still feel lonely."
Through her work, Bohrer experiences a sense of healing: "When I receive feedback that people suddenly feel seen in their loneliness, a part of me is lifted. I feel that together, we can conquer or at least mitigate loneliness."
As a motivator to those struggling with loneliness, Bohrer wishes she could tell her younger self, "... "
In line with her crusade against isolation, Yvonne Bohrer has expanded her project, "Motivational Coins," to reach individuals who may not be connected to support organizations. These coins, engraved with uplifting messages, are hidden in public spaces to serve as symbolic reminders of support.
Bohrer's efforts to combat loneliness align with her vision for a healthier, more connected society, making her work an essential part of the broader dialogue on health-and-wellness and mental-health issues.
As the third "Together Against Loneliness" action week approaches, Bohrer's "Courage Letters" and "Motivational Coins" inspire not just those individually battling loneliness, but also highlight the need for a more empathetic and connected lifestyle, especially among relationships and communities in Germany.
