Mental Health Resources in English for Expats in Germany

Feb
2026
11

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To help cover the cost of a therapist or psychiatrist, international health insurance providers offer plans tailored to expats. To qualify for covered treatment through GKV, your condition must be diagnosed as a recognized mental health disorder – such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. If you’re new to Germany, understanding how the healthcare system works – especially when it comes to mental health – is key. Get tailored coverage, direct billing with many providers, complex case management, and global care on demand, with access to a network of 1.5+ million doctors, specialists, and therapists. These organizations often provide counseling, support groups, and community activities that promote mental well-being. Many cultural associations in Berlin offer mental health resources tailored to specific communities.

emergency mental health resources

Giving your body and mind a break can boost your ability to cope with stress. Too much holiday “cheer” can increase your stress. Look forward, one small step at a time, and focus on taking care of your needs and those of your friends and family. We all have experience coping with stressful events and can usually “bounce back” after difficult times. The good news is that stress after a disaster or during the holidays is common and usually temporary.

emergency mental health resources

Support links

emergency mental health resources

Our team curates valuable mental health information and provides resources to help you find the right professional support for your needs. The Kinder- und Jugendnotdienst (Children and Young People Emergency Service) provides crisis support by telephone or face to face counselling, help and protection for children and young people 365 days a year, round the clock (24/7), and anonymous counselling upon request. The “Building Back Better“ concept emphases the use of emergencies as opportunities to improve health care systems, leveraging the surge of aid, and heightened political awareness to reform mental health care sustainably.

emergency mental health resources

WHO co-chairs the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings that provides advice and support to organizations working in emergencies. Almost all people affected by emergencies will experience psychological distress, such as feelings of anxiety and sadness, hopelessness, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, irritability School gun violence prevention guide or anger and aches and pains. Almaz—who arrived at Gedaref shackled to her family’s car—is an example of how relatively modest mental health resources and investments can bring significant, tangible results. This training-of-trainers approach to capacity building enables the formation of a cadre of MHPSS-trained health providers across health facilities—ensuring service continuity following the end of the project.

Mental Health Resources for Newcomers in Berlin, Germany

  • Getting closer to normal will be good, said Jonna Fries, director of counseling and psychological services at Cal State L.A., but it could still be stressful.
  • Find out how NIMH engages a range of stakeholder organizations as part of its efforts to ensure the greatest public health impact of the research we support.
  • Most mental healthcare providers offer emergency appointments, have on-call services for urgent situations, and offer virtual counseling options, ensuring availability for both preventative and emergency care needs.

Countries can also use emergencies as opportunities to invest in mental health, leveraging the increased aid and attention they receive to develop better care systems for the long term. These crises disrupt families, livelihoods and essential services, and significantly impact mental health. Regular mental health check-ins, practicing self-care, maintaining a strong support network, and being aware of the early signs of mental health issues can help. In acute emergencies, it is also possible to call the emergency numbers of the police (110) or the emergency services (112). These resources offer specialized support through counseling services, support groups, and helplines. Navigating mental health as an expat can be challenging, but online platforms provide valuable support.

emergency mental health resources

Following this, a treatment program can be established in tandem with a psychotherapist who provides talk therapy. Psychiatrists can provide treatment for those who require an official diagnosis and medication, which includes those with severe depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and more. Many international arrivals to Germany also choose to take out expat-friendly insurance with a global health insurance company before they arrive. By contrast, private health insurance is available for students, people who are self-employed, and those who earn above a certain income. Services are available across the country, but access can still depend on factors like location, language, and provider availability.