📞 Advice and contact points
In brief
If you are thinking about suicide right now or are in acute danger: Call the emergency number 112 or the TelefonSeelsorge (telephone counselling service) immediately – free of charge, anonymous, around the clock: 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222 (telefonseelsorge.de). You do not have to wait for an appointment to become free.
Beyond the acute crisis there is a dedicated point of contact for almost every concern around depression – from the first diagnosis through cost coverage to questions of reduced earning capacity. This page brings together the most important contacts.
Step by step
- Acute crisis: emergency number and TelefonSeelsorgeEmergency number 112 and TelefonSeelsorge 0800 111 0 111 / 0800 111 0 222 (free of charge, anonymous, around the clock) for emergencies.
- First medical point of contactGP, psychotherapy consultation hour or the appointment service 116117 (Terminservicestelle) for diagnosis and start of treatment.
- Information and orientationThe Info-Telefon Depression (depression info line) of the Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe (0800 33 44 533) provides anonymous, free information on the illness, treatment and support services.
- Social-law questionsThe health insurance fund (cost coverage, sickness benefit), the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (rehabilitation, reduced earning capacity pension) and the Versorgungsamt (severe disability) are responsible depending on the concern.
- Employment-law questionsThe works council/staff council, the Integrationsamt (in case of severe disability) or an employment lawyer can help with dismissal, BEM or reintegration.
Deadlines
- As a precaution, save the most important numbers (TelefonSeelsorge, 116117, regional crisis service if applicable) in your phone.
- Responsibilities change depending on the life situation – if in doubt, the GP practice or the TelefonSeelsorge is always a good first contact.
- Not every advice centre specialises in depression – for detailed social-law questions, social counselling or legal advice is worth seeking specifically.
- Regional services (crisis services, self-help contact points) differ by federal state and municipality – look up local numbers in advance.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Who is responsible for what – overview
Emergency number 112 and TelefonSeelsorge (0800 111 0 111 / 0800 111 0 222, also 116 123) are the central points of contact in an acute emergency, reachable at any time and free of charge. For treatment, GPs and psychotherapists (direct access via the consultation hour) are responsible, with appointments arranged where applicable via the appointment service 116117. For general, non-medical information, the Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe offers an anonymous info line (0800 33 44 533).
Social-law points of contact
The health insurance fund is responsible for cost coverage of therapy and medication as well as for sickness benefit. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung is responsible for medical and vocational rehabilitation and for the reduced earning capacity pension. The Versorgungsamt (or the corresponding state authority) determines the degree of disability; the Integrationsamt is responsible for the special protection against dismissal of severely disabled people.
Local and complementary services
Social psychiatric services of the public health offices advise regardless of insurance status. Self-help contact points and NAKOS arrange self-help groups for people affected and relatives. These services differ regionally in availability and design.
A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.