If you have a teenager in Germany — or if you are a young person yourself — you may already know how difficult it is to access mental health care. The average wait for a therapy appointment in Germany is currently 28 weeks, according to recent reporting by Tagesschau. That is nearly seven months. For young people going through anxiety, depression, or the added pressures of migration and cultural adjustment, that wait can feel impossible. Now, some pharmacies across Germany are trying to fill the gap by offering a first point of psychological contact — a so-called "safe space" for young people who need someone to talk to.
Germany has a well-developed healthcare system, but mental health services — particularly for children and adolescents — are severely stretched. Demand has grown significantly in recent years, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising rates of anxiety and burnout among young people.
The 28-week average wait for a therapy place is a national figure, but the situation is considerably worse in rural areas (ländlicher Raum), where specialist child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychotherapists are simply not available in sufficient numbers. Families in smaller towns or villages may have no licensed therapist within a reasonable distance at all.
For expat families, this challenge often comes with an added layer of complexity: finding a therapist who speaks English or another language, or who has experience with young people navigating bicultural identities, is even harder.
A growing number of German pharmacies are now positioning themselves as a first port of call for young people who are struggling emotionally. The concept, described in recent media coverage, involves trained pharmacy staff offering a low-threshold, non-clinical conversation — not therapy, but a compassionate first contact.
The idea is rooted in the fact that pharmacies are accessible, non-stigmatising, and present in almost every community. Young people can walk in without an appointment, without a referral, and without having to explain themselves to a doctor first.
This is sometimes called "erste psychologische Hilfe" — first psychological help — and it mirrors models used in some other European countries. Pharmacy staff involved in these programmes typically receive basic training in active listening, crisis recognition, and signposting to professional services.
It is important to be clear: this is not a replacement for professional psychotherapy. If a young person needs ongoing treatment, they will still need to be referred to a licensed Kinder- und Jugendpsychotherapeut (child and adolescent psychotherapist). But for many, having a trusted adult to talk to — in a familiar, local setting — can be a meaningful first step.
Expat and immigrant families often face specific mental health pressures that are underrecognised. Children who have moved countries may experience grief, identity confusion, or social isolation. Adolescents who arrived mid-school without fluent German face particular stress. Young asylum seekers and refugees may be carrying significant trauma.
If your child or a young person in your household is struggling, the pharmacy safe space model offers one low-barrier option. However, knowing the wider landscape of support is equally important:
Start by contacting your Krankenkasse — they are legally required to help you find an appointment within four weeks (for statutory insurance holders, following the 2019 reform). You can also use the online search tool of the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung in your region, or call 116 117 (the medical on-call number) to ask for a referral. For English-speaking therapists, the Psychology Today therapist finder and expat-focused directories like Expatica list practitioners by language.
Yes. Psychotherapy (Psychotherapie) is a covered benefit under both statutory (gesetzliche) and most private (private) Krankenversicherung in Germany. For statutory insurance, you typically need a referral from a GP (Hausarzt) and the therapy must be provided by an approved, licensed therapist (Kassentherapeut). Waiting times for covered spots are long, which is why some families opt for private therapists — these can be partially reimbursed depending on your plan.
This is a real barrier, but options exist. Ask your Krankenkasse specifically for therapists who speak your language. In larger cities, there are multicultural counselling centres (interkulturelle Beratungsstellen) that offer support in multiple languages. UNHCR and Caritas also run services in several languages for young refugees and migrants.
The pharmacy safe space initiative is a welcome and creative response to a genuine crisis in youth mental health access in Germany. For expat families, it is one more option in a system that — while comprehensive on paper — can be difficult to navigate, especially with language barriers and long waiting lists.
If you are concerned about a young person's mental health, do not wait for the situation to become critical. Start by contacting your GP or your Krankenkasse today. Ask about the Terminservicestelle, the official appointment service that your insurer must provide. And remember: pharmacies, school counsellors, and telephone helplines are all available now, without a wait.
Source: Tagesschau
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