Mental health is one of the most underreported challenges facing people who move abroad. Adjusting to a new country, learning a language, navigating unfamiliar bureaucracy and building a social network from scratch can take a serious toll — even when things are going well on paper. Against this backdrop, new reporting from Germany is a reminder that mental health care deserves attention: experts are warning that suicide rates in the country are continuing to rise, and they are calling on the government to act faster on prevention. For expats and immigrants, understanding the mental health landscape in Germany — including where to look for help — is genuinely important.
According to reporting by Tagesschau, the number of suicides in Germany has been increasing. Experts in the field are responding with clear demands: more prevention efforts and easier access to support — described in German as niedrigschwellige Hilfe, meaning help that is low-barrier and straightforward to reach without lengthy waiting times or complex referral processes.
The calls from experts reflect a broader concern in Germany's healthcare debate. Mental health services have historically been stretched, with long waiting times for therapy appointments being a widely documented issue. Advocates argue that prevention — reaching people before a crisis escalates — is far more effective and humane than relying solely on acute crisis intervention.
A draft law from Germany's health ministry that would specifically address suicide prevention has reportedly been delayed. According to the source, the draft is still being awaited, meaning that legislative action to back up the experts' recommendations has not yet materialised. This gap between expert consensus and political action is something mental health advocates are increasingly vocal about.
For anyone living in Germany — including expats — this means that the formal support framework is still a work in progress. Knowing which organisations exist and how to reach them is therefore more important than ever, because the system cannot yet be taken for granted.
Research consistently shows that migrants and expats face elevated mental health risks compared to settled residents. The reasons are well-documented: social isolation, homesickness, culture shock, financial uncertainty, language barriers when communicating with doctors or therapists, and the stress of bureaucratic processes like visa renewals or Anmeldung. In some cases, discrimination or uncertainty about residency status adds another layer of pressure.
For expats in Germany, accessing mental health care can involve additional hurdles. Therapy sessions in English are available in larger cities but can be harder to find in smaller towns. Your Krankenversicherung — public or private — generally covers psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment, but waiting lists for publicly funded therapy can be long. It is worth discussing this with your GP (Hausarzt), who can refer you and, in some cases, help you access faster pathways.
Organisations such as the Berliner Krisendienst (in Berlin) and the Telefonseelsorge (a nationwide telephone counselling service) provide crisis support — look up their official contact details directly on their websites or through your local health authority, rather than relying on third-party sources.
Even before any new law is passed, there are practical steps you can take to support your own mental health or that of someone close to you:
In most cases, yes. Both statutory (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) and private (private Krankenversicherung) health insurance in Germany cover psychotherapeutic treatment. However, publicly funded therapy spots can have long waiting times. Speak to your GP for a referral and ask specifically about short-term (Kurzzeittherapie) options, which may be available faster.
Yes, particularly in larger cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt. English-speaking therapists are listed on directories maintained by German professional psychology and psychotherapy associations. Costs and insurance coverage may differ depending on whether the therapist is accredited with your insurer.
If someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services (112 in Germany). For emotional support and crisis counselling, organisations like the Telefonseelsorge and the Berliner Krisendienst (in Berlin) provide support — look up their current contact details on their official websites.
The rise in suicide rates in Germany, and the delay in legislative action on prevention, is a reminder that mental health support cannot be assumed — it has to be actively sought. For expats, this is especially true, given the additional pressures of life abroad. The most important steps you can take right now are to register with a GP, understand what your Krankenversicherung covers, and make a note of the organisations that offer crisis support — before you need them.
If you are struggling, reaching out early is always the right decision. Germany has resources; the challenge is knowing where to look.
Source: Tagesschau
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