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Mental Health

Good mental health is essential for your quality of life and performance and is equally important as physical health. Having "good mental health" means feeling spiritually and mentally at ease and generally being able to cope well with periods of stress and crisis. Mental health problems are not taboo in Germany. If people struggle to get through periods of psychological crisis on their own, there is professional support and help on offer from doctors and counselling services.

It is important to understand that psychological symptoms are not a personal weakness or failure.  Sleep disorders, severe anxiety and depression are often entirely normal reactions to high levels of stress. Particularly in the event of traumatic experiences such as war, violence, displacement and the often-difficult new start in a foreign country, it is often necessary to have professional support and monitoring to boost new courage for life and prospects for the future.

  • You should seek medical advice if worries, fears, exhaustion, severe anxiety or compulsive thoughts have been dominating your life for an extended period. A psychological disorder may also be indicated by problems sleeping and physical symptoms. If in doubt you should see a doctor or counselling service.

  • Psychosocial support services and counselling services for marital, family and life issues offer rapid and anonymous assistance and counselling for people in crisis situations. They can be found in many cities in Germany. People seeking advice can also often receive counselling by phone or online. Counselling of this kind is usually provided free of charge.

  • Doctors, counsellors and therapists have a legal duty of confidentiality. This means that everything you discuss with them is strictly confidential and cannot be repeated to other people.

If you are looking for counselling or support services, you can take any questions you have to a Migration Advice Service for Adult Immigrants (MBE). You can also contact an MBE advisor using the MBE online advice service.