Mental Health Crisis Among German Youth Intensifies Amid Pandemic and Societal Challenges

The mental health of children and teenagers in Germany has deteriorated significantly in recent years, with inpatient treatments for minors rising sharply. According to data from the hospital association, 44,381 minors required hospital care for mental health issues in 2022, up from 34,499 in 2018. Waiting times for psychiatric placements have stretched to four to six months, particularly in child and adolescent psychiatry, posing critical challenges.

A report by DAK health insurance emphasizes that the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside the climate crisis, ongoing wars, and societal pressures—including fears about the future—have heavily impacted young people, especially girls, who often require long-term treatment. The Federal Statistical Office reported that mental health disorders were the leading cause of hospital treatments for youth aged 10 to 19 in 2023, with about 112,600 affected.

In response, the Bundesschülerkonferenz (BSK) and the Institute of the German Economy have warned about the deepening mental health crisis. Quentin Gärtner, General Secretary of the BSK, highlighted the gravity of the situation facing youth today. The student conference proposed a 10-point plan that calls for more school social workers and psychologists, enhanced media literacy across all subjects, and education on self-regulation and stress management skills to better support children and teenagers.

These developments underscore the urgent need for systemic improvements in Germany's mental health infrastructure for youth amid mounting external pressures.