Mental health in Germany: worries, loneliness and hope!

Mental health in Germany: worries, loneliness and hope!

Global Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10th. On the occasion of this day, the German Health Barometer recently published current information on mental health in Germany. Over 25,000 adults aged 18 and over took part in the online surveys conducted by German Center for Mental Health (DZPG) were developed in Bochum-Marburg. The coordination was at the Research and Treatment Center for Mental Health (FBZ) at the Ruhr University Bochum.

The survey data shows that many people report stable life satisfaction and high levels of mental well-being. Nevertheless, stress-related complaints as well as depressive moods and anxiety symptoms are widespread. Although the average values ​​are in the “normal” range, many respondents show increased stress. Interestingly, there was a slight increase in negative symptoms between September 2024 and July 2025.

Demographic differences and pressures

The survey results also reveal notable demographic differences. Women report more psychological stress and lower life satisfaction compared to men. In addition, young people under the age of 20 are the most exposed, while older people over 80 are the least exposed.

The regional differences are particularly noticeable. Saarland shows the lowest well-being, while Berlin has the highest life satisfaction, but also suffers from the highest levels of anxiety. Lower Saxony is most affected in terms of stress and depression.

Recommendations to support mental health

In order to promote the mental health of the population, several recommendations are made. This includes regular exercise for at least 30 minutes a day and reducing screen time by 30 to 60 minutes a day. In addition, sufficient sleep at fixed times, a healthy diet, personal contacts and small breaks in everyday life are essential.

In addition, experts appeal to politicians and society to provide more free sports and leisure activities, especially for women and young people. The design of public spaces should promote social encounters. Finally, targeted educational measures about mental health and media literacy are required in schools and in the workplace.

Increasing awareness and challenges

Public attention to mental health has increased significantly. According to an analysis, rising living costs are Germans' biggest concern, followed by the state being overwhelmed by refugees. These worries affect both people's professional and personal lives and have a negative impact on their mental health.

In 2024, 54% of young adults in Germany suffered from mental illness, while loneliness was 43% in the 14- to 24-year-old age group and 46% in the 25- to 34-year-old age group. What is striking is that only 16% of 65 to 74 year olds find loneliness stressful. Men are less likely to talk about their mental health problems, while women are quicker to seek professional help and are more likely to be unable to work due to mental illness.

In addition, long waiting times for therapy places make the situation more difficult. The number of unreported cases of psychological problems remains high, especially since suicidal thoughts and addictions are more common in men. In 2022, there were nearly 7,500 suicides among men, compared to around 2,800 among women.

In this context, the social psychiatric service offers free advice and help for people with mental problems. The health barometer serves as an early warning system to identify groups at risk and enables citizens to take part in mental health surveys online. The challenge remains to effectively address the increasing psychological stress in society in order to sustainably promote the well-being of the population.