Mental Health in Germany: Resources, Help, and Support

Mental health support is available in Germany, but navigating the system can be confusing at first.

From finding an English-speaking therapist to understanding what insurance covers, there’s a lot to figure out.

Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction, or simply looking for someone to talk to, help is available, and often fully covered by insurance.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What to do in a mental health emergency
• How to access therapy and psychiatric care through public or private insurance
• What’s covered—and what isn’t
• Where to find English-speaking therapists and urgent care
• Support options for addiction, eating disorders, and more

By the end, you’ll understand how mental health care works in Germany and where to turn for support.

What to do in case of an emergency

If there’s an emergency, call 112. This number connects you to rescue services and fire departments.

You can call 112 any time, day or night, from anywhere in Germany.

You’re not alone if you or someone you know feels overwhelmed, hopeless, or needs someone to talk to. Help is available.

• German Suicide Hotline: Call 0800 181 0771, free and confidential support.
• Telefonseelsorge: Call 0800 1110 111 or 0800 1110 222.  Free, anonymous, and available 24/7. You can also chat or email them here:online.telefonseelsorge.de

You can also contact the Berliner Krisendienst (Berlin Crisis Service) if you’re in Berlin. They offer 24/7 phone help and in-person support from 16:00 to 00:00. They speak several languages, including English.

Choose the number for your part of the city:

If you can’t or don’t want to call

If you’re unable or unwilling to call, go directly to the nearest hospital or medical center.

Walk up to the front desk and explain your situation. They are trained to help.

Read our guide to better understand how medical emergency services work in Germany (like when to call an ambulance or where to go for urgent care).

The state of German mental health

Mental health is a growing concern in Germany. More and more people are being diagnosed with mental health conditions, especially in outpatient care.

Recent numbers show that:

• 37.9% of people with public health insurance were diagnosed with a mental disorder in outpatient settings.
• 27.7% of all adults had a diagnosable mental illness over 12 months, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
• One in three Germans experiences a mental health condition each year.

The most common mental illnesses in Germany are:

Even though Germany has universal health insurance and an extensive network of mental health professionals, most people with mental health problems aren’t getting the help they need.

• Only 10–11% of adults use psychiatric or psychotherapeutic services each year.
• About two-thirds of people with severe mental health symptoms don’t get treatment at all.

How to access German mental health services

Mental health care in Germany is integrated into the standard healthcare system. Most residents (90%) are covered by public health insurance (GKV), which pays for therapy, psychiatric visits, hospital stays, emergency care, and medications. 

Private insurance is also available and can offer faster access to care.

If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, you can seek help from a doctor or therapist. For those with GKV, the first step is visiting a general practitioner (GP) to get a formal diagnosis before being referred to a therapist. 

The good news is that most services are covered, meaning you typically won’t pay out of pocket. However, the downside is long wait times, especially in smaller towns, due to high demand and limited availability of professionals. 

Additionally, not all therapists accept public insurance.

Private health insurance plans often offer quicker access but vary by provider. Many therapists prefer private patients; in most cases, you won’t need a GP referral to begin therapy.

Germany is expanding its use of digital mental health tools to ease the burden of long wait times. Online therapy programs and mental health apps are becoming more common and are increasingly covered by public insurance. 

The fastest way to talk to a specialist

Since 2017, all therapists in Germany have been required to keep 250 minutes per week open for people with urgent needs. These are called “Akutsprechstunden.”

You can call your local KV office (Kassenärztliche Vereinigung, or the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians) to ask when and where these sessions are offered. 

The KV office manages public health insurance, doctors, and psychotherapists—it knows which providers are available and when**.** Therapists must also be reachable by phone for at least 100 minutes per week, so keep trying if it takes a few calls.

For this to apply, you need to have public health insurance (such as TK, Barmer, AOK, etc.).

These tools offer a flexible alternative for those seeking timely support.

How to find an English-speaking mental health specialist in Germany

Finding mental health care in Germany can feel overwhelming, especially in another language. But there are ways to make the search easier.

1. Start with a general doctor (Hausarzt). They can give you a referral to a therapist or psychiatrist. But you can also search on your own.
2. The best place to begin istherapie.de, a directory of licensed therapists in Germany. You can search by zip code, specialty, language (like English), and even filter by insurance type and waiting time. If you don’t speak German, use Google Chrome to translate the site automatically.

Other good options include Doctolib, Arztsuche, and It’s Complicated. These platforms let you see profiles, check availability, and sometimes even book directly online.

Be prepared for long wait times, especially if you have public health insurance. Some therapists may turn you away for that reason. 

In those cases, a system called Kostenerstattung (reimbursement) lets you see a private therapist and ask your insurance to cover the cost. It’s a bit of a bureaucratic process, but not impossible if you’re persistent. 

Read our article for all the details.

You can pay out of pocket if you’re in a hurry or want more control. Rates vary; some websites (like It’s Complicated) list prices upfront to help you decide.

Does German health insurance cover therapy and mental health treatments?

In Germany, mental health care is often fully covered by insurance, but there are a few essential conditions to understand.

If you’re diagnosed with a mental illness, and your treatment follows approved methods, health insurance will pay the full cost. This applies to public insurance (GKV) and many private plans.

To qualify, two things must happen:

1. You must have a recognized mental illness, such as:

   • Anxiety
   • Depression
   • Eating disorders
   • Personality or behavioral disorders
   • Addictions
   • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
   • Psychosomatic disorders

2. Treatment must follow an approved method, called a “guideline procedure.” These include:

   • Behavioral therapy
   • Psychodynamic therapy (based on depth psychology)
   • Psychoanalysis
   • Systemic therapy (covered since July 2020)
   • EMDR (for PTSD in adults)

Talk therapy is respected in Germany but isn’t covered by public insurance, though many private insurers will pay for it. 

Public insurance also covers group therapy as long as the therapist is licensed and trained in it. If you do both group and individual sessions, a different therapist can lead each, but they must work together and have a shared treatment plan.

If your treatment changes (like switching from individual to group therapy), here’s what to know:

• For short-term treatment, the therapist just informs the insurance.
• For long-term therapy, you need approval for the change.

Once long-term therapy ends, you may still get relapse prevention sessions for up to 2 more years. 

These help you stay healthy and avoid setbacks. The number of extra hours depends on how many you used during regular therapy:

• 40–59 total hours = up to 8 prevention hours
• 60+ total hours = up to 16 prevention hours

The therapist must plan and request these hours during the application process.

What is not covered by public insurance?

• Couples counseling
• Parenting support
• General life coaching

However, if these issues lead to a recognized mental illness, like depression from marital problems, then treatment can be covered.

Drugs & alcohol addiction: resources, help and support

Here’s a search tool that helps you find addiction help nearby, run by the German Red Cross. Just type in your city or ZIP code.

Other resources include:

1. Talk to someone

You are not alone. There are people ready to listen, any time of day. 

Crisis line (Telefonseelsorge): Call 0800 1110111 or 0800 1110222 — 24/7 and free. 

They handle over 23,000 addiction-related calls each year. You don’t have to give your name.

2. Addiction counseling (Suchtberatung)

If you or someone you know is ready to take the first step, book an appointment with a local addiction counseling center (Suchtberatungsstelle). They can help with:

• Getting motivated to change
• Planning treatment or rehab
• Handling relapses
• Support for family and friends
• Finding therapy or clinics

Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, or local health offices run many. To find one, just Google: “Suchtberatung + [your city]”. You’ll usually find a number and an email to contact them directly.

3. Self-help groups

Self-help groups are a powerful way to connect with others who understand. These are free and usually very welcoming. For example:

• AA (Anonyme Alkoholiker) – for alcohol addiction
• Freundeskreise – for various addictions
• Kreuzbund e.V., Guttempler, Blaues Kreuz – some with a Christian background

Just search online: “[Group Name] + [Your City]”. No registration needed, no pressure to come again. Just show up.

4. Ask your doctor

If you’re willing to stop using and want medical help, talk to your family doctor (Hausarzt):

• Say you want to do a withdrawal treatment (Entzug)
• Ask for an Einweisung (a medical referral)

You’ll then call an Entzugsstation (detox clinic) to book an appointment. You have two main options:

1. Basic Detox – A few days to get substances out of your system

2. Qualifizierter Entzug – A more complete treatment:

   • 1 week of detox
   • 2–3 more weeks in the clinic to stabilize and plan next steps

You’ll need basic German skills to communicate, but the staff are usually very supportive.

5. For family & friends

It’s not easy supporting someone with addiction. There are groups for those close to people with an addiction.

• Al-Anon – for people who care about someone with alcoholism
• Nar-Anon – for families of people addicted to drugs

You can find local meetings or join online here: www.nar-anon.org

Eating disorders: resources, help, and support

Struggling with food, your body image, or your relationship with eating can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to go through it alone. Here’s how to take the first steps toward help.

1. Family doctor (Hausarzt)

If you don’t already have a therapist, start here.

• Your family doctor can listen, do a basic checkup, and guide you to the next step.
• They might refer you to a therapist or clinic that fits your situation.

Even if you’re not sure your problem is “serious enough,” it’s okay to ask.

2. Therapist referral service

You can also call 116117, the official medical hotline in Germany.

They’ll help you find a therapist in your area.

Ask if they have someone trained in Verhaltenstherapie (behavioral therapy), which is often recommended for eating disorder recovery.

3. Psychiatric outpatient clinic (Psychiatrische institutsambulanz)

If you feel like things are urgent and can’t wait months for help:

• Call the Psychiatrische Institutsambulanz (PIA) near you.
• They handle cases that need quicker support, like when you’re not coping well and need help soon.

You don’t need a referral to reach out.

4. Other organizations

These websites offer excellent info, contacts, and guidance if you want to understand more or look for help on your own:

• BFE (Bundesfachverband Essstörungen): A professional network of clinics, therapists, and support groups.
• ANAD e.V.: One of the oldest ED support groups in Germany. They offer counseling and even residential living options.

Anxiety & depression: resources, help and support

Struggling with anxiety or depression can feel isolating. But you’re not alone, and there are places you can turn to for support, whether you’re ready to talk or want to explore options quietly. 

1. Organizations

German Depression Aid Foundation (Deutsche Depressionshilfe): This non-profit helps people with depression find help.

• You can read clear, science-based info about what depression is.
• Try their Depression test online to check in with yourself.
• They also offer “iFightDepression,” a free self-help program designed by experts.

Neurologen und Psychiater im Netz: This site is packed with helpful explanations.

• Learn how therapy works.
• Discover different treatment options.
• Get answers to common questions.

If you’re confused or overwhelmed by medical words, this site breaks things down simply.

MindDoc: an app that helps you track how you feel over time.

• You answer short questions daily.
• The app helps you notice patterns in your moods.
• You can share this with a therapist later, or use it to reflect

It also connects you with mental health professionals if you want to talk to someone.

2. People who understand

Speaking with others who’ve been through something similar can be incredibly comforting. You don’t have to explain everything; they just get it.

NAKOS.de: This site helps you find self-help groups near where you live.

• Search: “Depression + Selbsthilfe + [your city]”
• Many groups meet in person or online.
• Great for hearing real stories and feeling less alone

Online forums: Not ready to meet in person? Forums are a low-pressure way to connect.

• psychic.de – Focuses on anxiety
• Diskussionsforum Depression – For people living with depression
• You can read others’ experiences or share your own if you feel safe doing so

3. Not ready to talk yet? That’s okay

If seeing a doctor or joining a group feels too much, that’s understandable. You can still take a small step by just listening.

The Dr. John Delony Show is one place to start.

• He talks openly about things like anxiety, fear, loneliness, and burnout.
• You can find episodes that match how you feel right now.
• No pressure. Just listen and reflect.

Sometimes, hearing someone else put your feelings into words can help you understand yourself better. And that might be the first step toward getting help.

Conclusion

Mental health challenges can feel isolating, especially in a new country, but you are not alone. 

Whether you’re navigating daily stress, dealing with a diagnosis, or supporting someone else, help is available in Germany. 

With the right resources and support, healing is possible. 

Taking the first step is often the hardest, but can also be the most powerful.