Crisis help
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In an acute crisis? The numbers are right here.
I am in Germany and currently in an acute crisis
In case of immediate danger to life, call 112 directly.
What is an "acute crisis"?
By "acute" we mean a situation in which you might harm yourself or another person right now, or in which there is immediate danger to life.
You are in the right place if:
- you are thinking about taking your own life
- you are thinking about hurting yourself
- you are thinking about hurting another person
- you might seriously hurt yourself or another person, or have already done so
- you are currently witnessing or experiencing violence
- you are in acute physical danger from substances or violence
- you don't see a way out right now and don't know how to go on
- you are losing control, for example through strong panic, anxiety or confusion
This list is not exhaustive. We've listed what matters most. If you're unsure whether it counts as "acute enough": call anyway.
In case of immediate danger to life, call 112 directly.
Available around the clock:
- Emergency 112 for immediate danger to life
- Medical on-call service 116 117 also at night and on weekends
- Telefonseelsorge 0800 1110111 or 0800 1110222 for a crisis conversation, including suicidal thoughts (free, anonymous, also via EU number 116 123). German-speaking.
Under 25?
- Krisenchat around the clock via chat, krisenchat.de
Regional crisis service (around the clock):
- Berlin: Berliner Krisendienst, 9 districts with separate extensions, berliner-krisendienst.de
- Bavaria (Bayern): Krisendienste Bayern, 0800 6553000, krisendienste.bayern
- Other federal states: Telefonseelsorge or 112 in case of life-threatening danger (as of 06/2026 only Berlin and Bavaria have nationwide 24/7 crisis services)
Not an acute crisis, but you need support? Below you will find services for everything that can wait. When it is not acute
When it is not acute
What is a crisis that is not acute?
By "not acute" we mean strain that is closing in on you or overwhelming you right now, without immediate danger to life or to yourself or another person being involved. Perhaps you've felt unlike yourself for a while, can't keep going on your own, and need support. You are not in an emergency situation, but you also don't want to be alone with it.
You are in the right place if:
- you have felt down, anxious, or empty for a while
- you are going through a difficult phase in life (loss, separation, illness, job loss)
- you feel overwhelmed and don't know how to go on, but you are not in acute danger right now
- you feel you need someone to talk to, a professional or others who have been through similar experiences
- you are starting to wonder whether therapy might be right for you
This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure where you belong: have a look at the description for acute crises above. If anything there applies to you, you belong there. Otherwise you're in the right place here.
Below are mental health support options in Germany that are available in English. Note: most non-acute mental health services in Germany are German-speaking, and 24/7 English coverage outside of acute emergency lines (112) is limited. Where a service offers English, it says so.
TodayCounselling by phone or chatLow-threshold contact points, free and anonymous, that can hear you today.
If you don't know where to start
- Find a Helpline searchable directory of 1,700+ crisis helplines across 175+ countries, filterable by topic, language, and contact mode (phone, chat, SMS). Available in English and German, free, anonymous. Helps you find a fitting resource when you don't know where to begin. findahelpline.com
Reach out by phone or chat
- Berliner Krisendienst Berlin residents, multilingual including English. 030 39063, with district-specific extensions. Around the clock, free, also walk-in. berliner-krisendienst.de/en
This weekConnecting with others who've been through itSelf-help groups, exchange with people who have lived through similar experiences.
Peer support and self-help
- English-speaking AA in-person meetings in many German cities plus 40+ online meetings. alcoholics-anonymous-berlin.de, aa-munich.org, nationwide listing at alcoholics-anonymous.eu
This monthStarting the search for therapyGuide to finding a therapy place, structured by your insurance and life situation.
Realistic about waiting times: Getting a therapy place through statutory insurance in Germany takes three to six months, often longer, depending on region. You can usually get a psychotherapeutic intake session (probatorische Sitzung) much faster. Plan the search as a longer project. If you don't find a place within a reasonable time, you can use the cost reimbursement procedure.
Which path works for you depends on how you are insured and the life situation you are in. Here are the most common routes.
If you have statutory health insurance (GKV)
- 116 117 Appointment Service of the KBV by phone 116 117, or online. Arranges psychotherapeutic intake appointments and acute treatment. 116117-termine.de and arztsuche.116117.de
- Therapie.de nationwide database, filterable by insurance type and method. German-language. therapie.de
- Psychotherapy Information Service (PID) helpline for people seeking care 030 209166330. Free, run by the BDP. German-language. psychotherapiesuche.de
- Therapist directory of the state psychotherapist chambers entry point via the BPtK. bptk.de/service/therapeutensuche
If you cannot find a contracted therapy place and can document that you've asked enough contracted therapists, you can use the cost reimbursement procedure.
If you have private insurance or pay yourself
- Therapie.de with the filter "Privatpraxis" or "Selbstzahler". therapie.de
- It's Complicated therapist matching across Germany, in English and over 60 other languages. Free matching, sessions arranged privately with the therapist. complicated.life
If you don't have health insurance
For example after fleeing, without a residency status, or because you have fallen out of the insurance system.
- BAfF Federal Association of Psychosocial Centres for Refugees and Survivors of Torture. Directory of specialised centres across Germany. Counselling and psychotherapy for survivors of war, torture, and violence. Free, independent of residency status, language mediation available. psychosoziale-zentren.org
- Ärzte der Welt anonymous, free medical care in Berlin, Hamburg, Magdeburg, Munich, and Stuttgart. Dedicated psychiatric-psychotherapeutic consultation hours in Magdeburg and Munich. aerztederwelt.org
- Medibüros / Medinetze local associations in many German cities, anonymous and free referral of medical care. Primarily somatic; psychotherapeutic referral varies by location. medibuero.de
If you are a student
- Psychological counselling of the Studierendenwerke free, confidential individual counselling at nearly every university location. Also for personal topics beyond studies. studierendenwerke.de
If you are queer and looking for queer-sensitive care
- Queermed Deutschland nationwide community-curated directory of queer-friendly doctors, therapists, and practices. Filterable by identity groups, language, and accessibility. Note: the directory is community-curated, not quality-checked. queermed-deutschland.de
- VLSP* professional association for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, intersex, and queer people in psychology. Professionally curated directory of therapists and counselling centres. vlsp.de
- LSVD+ Queer Refugees Germany counselling for queer refugees. lsvd.de
The four therapy methods covered by statutory insurance
Statutory health insurance covers the costs of four so-called "Richtlinienverfahren" (guideline methods):
Behavioural therapy (VT) focuses on changing distressing behaviours and thought patterns. Through exercises and techniques you learn to react differently, step by step.
Psychodynamic therapy (TP) is based on psychoanalysis but shorter and more focused. Aims to understand and work through unconscious conflicts and formative past experiences.
Analytical psychotherapy (AP) is the in-depth form of psychoanalysis. Systematically explores unconscious conflicts and their influence on your current life. Longer duration, higher frequency.
Systemic therapy looks at you not in isolation but within your social environment (family, partnership, work). Change often happens through relational and communication patterns. Also used in work with families and couples.
Which method suits you depends on your concern, your situation, and what feels right. In the initial session (probatorische Sitzung) you can talk with the therapist about whether you fit together.
When outpatient is not enoughDay clinic and inpatient treatmentIf outpatient therapy is not enough, because your strain is too great, you need stabilisation, or a longer break from everyday life, there are partial inpatient (day clinic) and full inpatient options.
For psychiatric and psychosomatic clinics, patient perspective is less systematically captured in the existing directories than for somatic hospitals. If you have a specific clinic in mind, also talk to your GP, your therapist, or people who have been there.
What exists
- Day clinic (Tagesklinik) you attend therapy during the day (usually 5 days a week, 6–8 hours) and go home in the evening. More intensive than outpatient, gentler than full inpatient.
- Full inpatient you stay in the clinic around the clock. Treatment length varies from a few weeks to several months.
Where to search
- DATPPP day clinic list nationwide directory of psychiatric, psychotherapeutic, and psychosomatic day clinics, maintained by the German association DATPPP e.V. datppp.de/tagesklinik-liste
- Bundes-Klinik-Atlas nationwide hospital directory by the Federal Ministry of Health, filterable by specialty and region. bundes-klinik-atlas.de
- AOK Gesundheitsnavigator nationwide hospital directory by AOK, filterable by specialty and region. Contains patient satisfaction data from AOK member surveys. aok.de/pk/gesundheitsnavigator
In case of life-threatening danger, call 112 directly. If you are in acute crisis but not in immediate danger, go to the acute page.
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