Student Mental Health

How have you been in the last two weeks?

A short, private reflection to help you see where you are and what might help. It is not a diagnosis or a medical test. Your answers stay on this device.

🫁 Breathe with the circle

Slow breathing, especially a longer breath out, helps your body calm down. Breathe in as the circle grows, out as it shrinks.

🖐️ 5-4-3-2-1 grounding

Useful during a wave of panic or overwhelm. It brings your attention back to the present. Say the answers out loud or in your head.

🗂️ Sort your worries

Write a worry, then decide: can I do something about it, or is it out of my control right now? Act on the first kind with one small step. Park the second kind for a fixed 15-minute “worry time” later. Saved only on this device.

✨ One small step

When everything feels too much, do one tiny thing. Small actions build momentum.

Where to get support as a student in Germany

1. Talk to someone you trust

   A friend, flatmate, family member or tutor. Saying it out loud often makes it lighter, and they can help you take the next step.

2. Free psychological counselling for students

   Most Studierendenwerke and universities run a psychological counselling service (Psychologische Beratung, often called PBS). It is free for enrolled students, confidential, and many counsellors speak English. Search for “your city Studierendenwerk psychologische Beratung” or ask your International Office.

3. Your family doctor (Hausarzt)

   A doctor can check physical causes (thyroid, vitamin levels, sleep), give you a sick note (Krankschreibung) if you cannot study or work, and refer you on. Find appointments via your insurance card and the 116117 service.

4. Psychotherapy with public health insurance

   If you have public insurance (for example TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK), psychotherapy is covered. You need no referral for the first appointment (psychotherapeutische Sprechstunde). Call the appointment service 116117 (24/7): they give you a code and a practice that should offer you an appointment within 4 weeks. Bring your insurance card. With private insurance, check your policy, as coverage varies.

5. Finding an English-speaking therapist

   Therapist directories such as therapie.de let you search by language. Your university counselling service often knows local therapists who work in English.

6. In a crisis

   Immediate danger: call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Talk now: TelefonSeelsorge 0800 111 0 111, 0800 111 0 222 or 116 123 (free, 24/7). Under 25: krisenchat via WhatsApp or SMS, 24/7.

📞 More free helplines

• Info-Telefon Depression (Deutsche Depressionshilfe): 0800 33 44 533, Mon, Tue, Thu 13:00 to 17:00; Wed, Fri 8:30 to 12:30. Information about depression and where to find help.
• Hilfetelefon Gewalt gegen Frauen: 08000 116 016, free, anonymous, 24/7.
• Hilfetelefon for men affected by violence: maennerhilfetelefon.de (phone, chat and email).
• Opfer-Telefon Weisser Ring (victims of crime, including hate and discrimination): 116 006, daily 7:00 to 22:00, free and anonymous.
• Debt and money worries: free, confidential Caritas debt counselling, online registration. Your Studierendenwerk also offers social counselling (Sozialberatung).
• Medical help at night and weekends: 116117 (on-call doctor service).

🗣️ German phrases for asking for help

Tap 🔊 to hear the pronunciation (audio from your device).

✉️ Email to book student counselling

Betreff: Anfrage Beratungstermin / Request for a counselling appointment

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

ich bin Student/in an der [Hochschule] und würde gern einen Termin bei der psychologischen Beratung vereinbaren. Wenn möglich, würde ich das Gespräch gern auf Englisch führen.

I am a student at [university] and would like to book an appointment with the psychological counselling service, in English if possible.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Kind regards
[Name]
[Matrikelnummer / student ID]
[Telefonnummer]

📚 Read next on German Campus

Loneliness as a foreign student in Germany
Culture shock: a guide for international students
Challenges international students face in Germany
How to improve your social life in Germany
Health insurance for international students
Student budget calculator