Integration Prize for KOBEG: Focus on mental health of refugees

Integration Prize for KOBEG: Focus on mental health of refugees

Many refugees in Germany suffer from mental disorders that require treatment, as has recently been shown in various studies. The research team at the University of Konstanz has been working on the integration of these people into the psychological care system since 2017 with the project “Coordinated psychotherapeutic treatment involving health mentors” (KOBEG). On May 8, 2025, KOBEG was awarded the Integration Prize by the state of Baden-Württemberg, which underlines the relevance and success of the project. The prize was presented in the Kursaal in Bad Cannstatt by Social and Integration Minister Manne Lucha and KOBEG took second place in the “Civil Society” category out of 236 applications that were submitted. This award recognizes efforts to improve refugees' access to psychological treatment.

The KOBEG project aims to overcome access barriers in the healthcare system. It works closely with a network of health sponsors with a migration background as well as specialists such as psychologists and therapists. Project coordinator Lea Bogatzki emphasizes that the network works at different levels to make access easier. Co-project manager Michael Odenwald emphasizes the continuous evaluation of the project in order to further optimize care. Funding comes from the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).

Mental health of refugees

The challenges facing refugees’ mental health are significant. Current studies show a high prevalence of mental illnesses, with traumatic experiences playing a crucial role. For example, a study found that over 87% of refugees surveyed had experienced traumatizing events and more than 40% showed signs of depressive illness. These results are consistent with international studies demonstrating similar prevalences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to a meta-analysis, the prevalence of PTSD and depressive disorders is around 30%.

Refugees from conflict regions such as Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq are particularly affected. A study found that the risk of PTSD in refugee women over the age of 35 is as high as 56%, with women from Syria and Iraq also being affected disproportionately. Despite having rarer chronic diseases, these people subjectively rate their health worse than the German resident population. The living conditions in reception centers with limited space and uncertainty about the future also have a negative impact on their mental health.

The supply system

Despite the growing number of mentally impaired refugees, there are only a few reliable empirical findings on the mental health of this group. Institutions such as health insurance companies and the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) have collected data, but the gap in the care system remains large. An analysis also shows that traumatized refugees are often twice as likely to have physical complaints. In order to address these deficits, it is crucial to establish an effective system of psychotherapeutic care.

The work of the University of Konstanz, especially the KOBEG project, is therefore of enormous importance. They could serve as a model for other initiatives to sustainably support the mental health of refugees and close the gaps in the current care offering. Experts agree that the psychotherapeutic treatment of refugees must be given urgent space in public health care.