Student mental health help is easier to find once you know which office does what. This hub sorts the options by situation, explains the route to psychotherapy and links every guide in this series. If you are looking for everyday tips first, start with Student Mental Health: How to Stay Stable.
In short: Start with the psychological counselling service or the social counselling service at your university or at the student services organisation (Studierendenwerk). For outpatient psychotherapy, the usual first step is a psychotherapeutic consultation hour (psychotherapeutische Sprechstunde), which you can book directly or through the appointment service 116117 (Terminservicestelle). According to the Federal Ministry of Health (status January 2026), the appointment service must arrange such consultation hours within four weeks. In acute danger, call the emergency number 112.
What Matters Most
- The first contacts are the psychological counselling service and the social counselling service of your university or the Studierendenwerk.
- For a psychotherapeutic consultation hour you generally do not need a referral. It is the first step towards outpatient therapy.
- According to 116117.de (status 2 November 2026), the appointment service 116117 can be reached by phone around the clock, and according to the Federal Ministry of Health it arranges consultation hours within four weeks.
- Clarify exams, deadlines and compensation for disadvantages (Nachteilsausgleich) with the examination office early, before an appointment is due.
- In acute danger, call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Where can I find help when I do not know what to do?
Not every strain needs psychotherapy straight away. A conversation at your university is often the right first step. The table shows which office does what.
| Contact point | What it is for | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Psychological counselling service of the university | Conversations about study problems and strain | Website of your university |
| Social counselling service of the Studierendenwerk | Help with money, housing and personal crises | Website of your Studierendenwerk |
| Appointment service 116117 (Terminservicestelle) | Arranging psychotherapeutic consultation hours | Phone 116117 or 116117.de |
| Telefonseelsorge (telephone counselling) | Anonymous conversations in difficult situations | telefonseelsorge.de |
| Emergency number 112 | Acute danger to you or others | Phone 112 |
The guides below go deeper into each contact point (all in German):
- Psychologische Beratung an der Uni: Leistungen und Terminvergabe (in German)
- Sozialberatung des Studierendenwerks: Was sie bei Belastungen leistet (in German)
- Beratungsstellen für Studierende außerhalb der Hochschule im Überblick (in German)
- Schweigepflicht in der Hochschulberatung: Was vertraulich bleibt (in German)
How do I get to psychotherapy?
The first step is usually the psychotherapeutic consultation hour. According to the Federal Ministry of Health (status January 2026), psychotherapists with a statutory health insurance licence are entitled and obliged to offer such consultation hours. You can contact a practice directly or ask the appointment service to help.
| Step | What it means | Scope according to the BMG (status January 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychotherapeutic consultation hour | First conversation for assessment, booked directly or through 116117 | For adults, units of at least 25 minutes, up to six units per illness |
| Probatory sessions and acute treatment | Assessment and short-term treatment where needed | Acute treatment with up to 24 individual sessions of at least 25 minutes each |
| Start without a consultation hour | After inpatient or rehabilitation treatment for a mental illness | Also possible when changing therapists during ongoing therapy |
The guides on the process, waiting times and costs take you through each step (in German):
- Psychotherapeut finden: Suche, Wartezeit und Erstgespräch (in German)
- Psychotherapeutische Sprechstunde: Was sie ist und wie man sie bucht (in German)
- Psychotherapie über die Terminservicestelle 116117 vermitteln lassen (in German)
- Psychotherapie als Akutbehandlung beantragen: Voraussetzungen und Ablauf (in German)
- Psychotherapie mit oder ohne Überweisung: Was gilt (in German)
- Probatorische Sitzungen: Was sie in der Psychotherapie bedeuten (in German)
- Verhaltenstherapie oder tiefenpsychologische Therapie: Der Unterschied (in German)
- Online-Psychotherapie per Video: Wann die Krankenkasse sie zahlt (in German)
- Mehrfach auf Wartelisten für Psychotherapie: Was erlaubt ist (in German)
- Psychotherapeutin oder Psychotherapeuten wechseln: Wann das möglich ist (in German)
- Psychotherapie als Selbstzahler: Kosten pro Sitzung und Alternativen (in German)
- Bedarfsplanung Psychotherapie: Was die geplante Reform bringen soll (in German)
What applies at university when illness affects your studies?
Exams, deadlines and the course of your studies can often be adjusted if you involve the responsible offices early. The examination regulations of your university set out which evidence and deadlines apply, so check them before you submit an application.
- Hochschulambulanz Psychotherapie: Zugang, Ablauf und Angebot (in German)
- Nachteilsausgleich bei psychischer Erkrankung: Attest und Antrag (in German)
- Prüfung wegen Krankheit abmelden: Attest, Fristen und Folgen (in German)
- Studium unterbrechen aus gesundheitlichen Gründen: Beurlaubung beantragen (in German)
- Nach längerer Erkrankung zurück ins Studium: Ablauf und Hilfen (in German)
- Stationäre Psychiatrie im Studium: Krankenkasse, Fristen und Folgen (in German)
- Praktikum wegen psychischer Erkrankung: Krankmeldung, Fristen und Rechte (in German)
- Mobbing im Studium: Anlaufstellen, Rechte und erste Schritte (in German)
When is professional help worth considering?
Only a qualified professional can make a diagnosis. If symptoms persist or limit your everyday life, a medical or psychotherapeutic assessment is the right step. The guides below describe individual conditions and symptoms, from depression and panic attacks to ADHD (all in German).
- Depression im Studium: Anzeichen erkennen und Wege zur Hilfe (in German)
- Panikattacke im Studium: Was du jetzt tun kannst und wo Hilfe liegt (in German)
- ADHS-Diagnose im Erwachsenenalter: Ablauf vom ersten Termin bis Befund (in German)
- ADHS bei Frauen im Erwachsenenalter: Typische Anzeichen und Abklärung (in German)
- ADHS im Studium: Nachteilsausgleich und Beratung (in German)
- ADHS-Diagnosen bei Erwachsenen nehmen zu: Was dahintersteckt (in German)
- ADHS-Medikamente: Lieferengpässe und was Betroffene tun können (in German)
- Soziale Angst im Studium: Referate, Gruppen und Hilfe (in German)
- Schlafprobleme im Studium: Wann ärztliche Hilfe sinnvoll ist (in German)
Support in everyday life and for friends
Alongside therapy, daily routines, social contact and relief matter. The guides here cover courses, digital offers and how to support people around you (all in German).
- Einsamkeit in den ersten Semestern: Was hilft und wo es Angebote gibt (in German)
- Freunde mit psychischen Problemen unterstützen: Was hilft und was nicht (in German)
- App auf Rezept bei psychischen Beschwerden: Was die Krankenkasse zahlt (in German)
- Stresskurse der Krankenkasse: Was bezuschusst wird und wie du startest (in German)
- Trauer im Studium: Fristen, Prüfungen und wo du Unterstützung findest (in German)
- Schwerbehinderung bei psychischer Erkrankung: Lohnt sich der Antrag? (in German)
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if I need help immediately?
In acute danger to yourself or others, call 112 or go to an emergency department. The Telefonseelsorge offers anonymous conversations. You will find availability and contact details at telefonseelsorge.de.
Do I have to tell my university about an illness?
Whether and when you must inform the university is set out in the examination regulations. For compensation for disadvantages or withdrawal from an exam, evidence is generally required. The guide on compensation for disadvantages explains the steps (in German).
How long does it take to get a therapy place?
That depends on your region, demand and your particular situation. According to the Federal Ministry of Health (status January 2026), the appointment service must arrange consultation hours within four weeks. The time until therapy actually starts can still be longer.
Can I have psychotherapy by video?
Whether health insurers cover online psychotherapy by video depends on specific conditions. The guide on this topic (in German) shows what to watch for and names the bodies that decide in individual cases.
Can I be on several waiting lists at the same time?
Whether and under which conditions you may register on several waiting lists is explained in the guide on multiple registrations (in German). It also covers what to pay attention to when you register.
What to do now
- Note since when you have felt strained and which situations are especially difficult. This makes the first conversation easier.
- Contact the psychological counselling service or the social counselling service of your university or the Studierendenwerk.
- Book a psychotherapeutic consultation hour directly with a practice or through the appointment service 116117.
- Clarify exams, deadlines and compensation for disadvantages with the examination office before an appointment is due.
Related reading
Sources: Federal Ministry of Health, Psychotherapeutische Sprechstunde (status: January 2026), bundesgesundheitsministerium.de. Appointment service 116117, 116117.de, questions and answers (status 2 November 2026, German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
