Counselling services outside the university complement what universities and Studierendenwerke (student services organisations) offer. They matter when you need a place that is not tied to your degree programme or examination office, or when worries become so serious that you need a voice on the phone or in a chat quickly. This guide presents types of services, lists verified phone numbers and explains what to check about availability and confidentiality.
Short answer: Outside the university there are telephone and online services run by churches, welfare organisations and crisis services. According to the Federal Government, the Telefonseelsorge (the German telephone counselling service) can be reached around the clock on 0800/1110111. Numbers and opening times change, so check them on the provider’s page before calling. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- Outside the university you find telephone, chat-based and in-person services from different providers.
- According to the Federal Government, the Telefonseelsorge is available around the clock for all people, regardless of age, occupation or faith.
- Services for students, such as night lines run by students for students, have their own hours and rules.
- The availability of individual services changes, so check the details before making contact.
- This list is a selection of examples and not a recommendation of particular providers.
Which types of counselling services exist
Services outside the university fall roughly into three groups. The first group consists of telephone crisis services that can be reached without registration. The second group are online services with chat or email, which are often aimed at particular age groups. The third group are in-person counselling points in a city or district, for example psychosocial counselling, addiction counselling or debt counselling.
| Service | Target group according to source | Availability according to source |
|---|---|---|
| Telefonseelsorge (0800/1110111) | All people, regardless of age, occupation or faith | Around the clock |
| Nightline (for students, status November 2026) | Students, by telephone, at some locations also by chat | Evenings, differs by location (example Berlin: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 pm to midnight) |
| [U25] (Caritas Berlin, status November 2026) | People under 25 in crisis | Online counselling by email with volunteer peers, anonymous |
| Caritas online addiction counselling (caritas.de, retrieved 2 November 2026) | People with addiction problems and their relatives | Written counselling via the Caritas counselling platform, anonymous use possible, registration with a username and password, email address optional, reply usually within two working days |
| Caritas online debt counselling (caritas.de, retrieved 2 November 2026) | People with debts | Written counselling via the Caritas counselling platform, anonymous use possible, registration with a username and password, postcode used to match you with a local counselling centre, reply usually within two working days |
The details on Nightline and U25 were checked on the providers’ own pages (status November 2026); those on addiction counselling come from a handout of Leuphana University with the status January 2021. Before you rely on them, check availability and access on the service’s own page.
The Telefonseelsorge at a glance
The Telefonseelsorge is a service for people who want a conversation, for example when pressure, loneliness or worries become overwhelming. The Federal Government lists the number 0800/1110111 in its overview of help and crisis telephones and states that it is available around the clock. According to telefonseelsorge.de (status 2 November 2026), 0800 111 0 222 and 116 123 are also available around the clock, including Sundays and public holidays, free of charge, and callers stay anonymous. Chat and email run through the Telefonseelsorge online counselling, for which you register with a username and password.
You do not need to register in advance for a conversation. If you feel uncomfortable during a counselling conversation, you may end it and choose another route. This applies to all services in this guide.
Services specifically for students
Some services target students directly. According to nightlines.eu, Nightline is a listening and information telephone run by students for students. Each location sets its own hours, for example Nightline Berlin on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 pm to midnight, and conversations there are anonymous (status 2 November 2026). Whether your university has its own night line, check the page of the student body or the overview of night line locations.
Where to find services in a targeted way
The range differs greatly by region, age and topic. Many cities and districts run their own psychosocial counselling points, operated by welfare organisations, churches or municipal bodies. There, in-person counselling can offer continuity with fixed contact persons, which goes beyond a single telephone call.
If you are unsure which service suits you, the website of your city or district is a good starting point, as it usually has an overview of psychosocial services. University counselling can also refer you to regional bodies, and the social counselling of the Studierendenwerk often knows local points of contact. The guide social counselling of the Studierendenwerk describes what that service offers.
What to check regarding availability and confidentiality
Confidentiality is an important criterion, but it works differently depending on the service. Telephone crisis services often work anonymously. For in-person counselling points, confidentiality is linked to documentation, which you can ask about in advance. How confidentiality works in university counselling is explained in the guide confidentiality in university counselling.
Pay attention to opening times as well. A service that is only reachable until midnight in the evening does not help if you need support during the day. Note which services are reachable at which times, and save the phone numbers together with the times when they apply.
Frequently asked questions
Can I call a counselling point without registering first?
For telephone crisis services this is generally intended, as with the Telefonseelsorge. For in-person counselling points, you usually arrange an appointment. Check the requirements of the service before calling.
Does a service also apply to people outside my region?
Telephone and online services are often nationwide. In-person counselling points usually work for a particular city or district. If you are interested in a regional service, check your place of residence.
What if I am in an acute crisis?
In that case a call to a crisis service is often the first step, but in acute danger an emergency department or the emergency number is part of the answer. Do not wait for the next appointment to become free during an acute situation.
Do I have to give personal details?
Many crisis services ask about age or place of residence only where it matters for the conversation, and some services are explicitly anonymous. The details asked depend on the provider. You decide how much you disclose.
Worth knowing before you call
Many people hesitate to make a call because they are unsure what will happen. A telephone counselling conversation usually begins with a short introduction and a question about what is on your mind. You can say little or a lot. Some services also offer a brief information call before a longer conversation. You can prepare by writing down two or three key points, so that the first minute does not feel empty. Writing down the phone number and the times in advance also helps when you are tired or stressed.
What to do now
- Write down what kind of support you need right now: a conversation, in-person counselling or an assessment.
- Save the Telefonseelsorge and one regional service that you can reach in an emergency.
- Check the availability of services on the provider’s page before relying on them.
- If you need support over the long term, contact university counselling or your general practitioner.
Related articles
- Student mental health: where to find help
- Psychological counselling at university
- Social counselling of the Studierendenwerk
- Confidentiality in university counselling
- Psychotherapeutic consultation
Sources: Hotlines for help and crisis, Federal Government (retrieved November 2026, German); Online and telephone services, handout of Leuphana University (status January 2021, German); Nightline Berlin, listening telephone (status 2 November 2026, German); Nightline Germany (status 2 November 2026, German); Caritas Berlin, [U25] online suicide prevention (status 2 November 2026, German); TelefonSeelsorge Germany, telephone (status 2 November 2026, German); TelefonSeelsorge Germany, online counselling (status 2 November 2026, German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
