The 10th of October is World Mental Health Day. An occasion to remember: every person deserves to be heard and to receive support – at any age.
“How are you?” We hear this question almost every day. Often we answer automatically: “Fine.” At school, at work or around the family table. Sometimes there isn’t time for a longer conversation. Sometimes the words are missing. And sometimes we’re not sure whether someone really wants to hear the honest answer.
Behind a “fine” there may, however, be fear, loneliness, feeling overwhelmed, or the sense that tomorrow will demand more strength than is currently available. That isn’t always visible from the outside. People who are struggling mentally can carry on working, studying, caring for others and smiling in greeting.
World Mental Health Day on 10 October aims to raise awareness of mental health and help more people get support. For us, it’s also an occasion to ask: is there enough room in our families, schools, workplaces and in the world around us for an honest answer? Information from the World Health Organization
Children and young people today are growing up in a world that is becoming ever faster, louder and more interconnected – and one that demands a great deal of adaptability from them. The pressure of social media in particular, constant comparison and the feeling of having to be reachable at all times can lead to stress, insecurity and diminished self-esteem. Some children withdraw, others react with anxiety, sleep problems or difficulty concentrating. This makes protected spaces all the more important – spaces in which children can find calm, feel accepted and simply be themselves without any pressure to perform.
A child might not yet know how to describe what’s troubling them. A teenager may worry that their concerns won’t be taken seriously. An adult might believe they have to cope alone because others depend on them. An older person may not want to “be a bother” to their relatives.
These are possible experiences, not fixed rules. Loneliness can affect people of any age. Pressure to perform and uncertainty don’t disappear when youth ends. Even a life that looks calm and orderly from the outside can involve considerable strain.
Nobody has to compare their own suffering with that of other people. The thought “others have it worse” doesn’t take away our right to a conversation, to relief or to professional help. And we don’t need to be able to put a name to our difficulties in order to say: “I’m not doing well. I need support.”
When we talk about mental health, the focus is often on what we can do ourselves: rest, nurture relationships or find time for ourselves. That can be part of everyday self-care. But not everyone has the same opportunities to do so.
Anyone worrying about their home or their income can’t simply switch off. Anyone caring for a relative without adequate support often finds barely any time for themselves. And anyone who experiences exclusion or feels ashamed of their difficulties may find it hard to seek help.
The World Health Organization points out that social, economic and societal living conditions influence mental health at different stages of life. That’s why changes in our shared everyday life are needed too: protection from violence, less exclusion and care that people can actually access. WHO on the social determinants of mental health
Schools can respond attentively to bullying and isolation. Employers can take excessive workloads seriously and provide reliable support. Neighbourhoods and local initiatives can create opportunities to meet and make information accessible. Steps like these are especially valuable for people who have so far felt they had to cope with everything on their own.
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We don’t need a ready-made solution to start a conversation. A sentence like “I get the impression that you’re finding things difficult right now. Would you like to talk about it?” can open a door. Or simply: “I have time. I’m listening.” It helps to leave room for an answer and to respect it when someone doesn’t want to talk yet. Instead of “Pull yourself together” or “Think positive”, we can say: “Thank you for telling me this.” And: “What would help you right now?”
Support can be very practical: looking for a counselling centre together, helping to arrange an appointment, taking on a task, or getting in touch again a few days later. We don’t have to take on the role of a therapist to do that.
Relatives and friends are also allowed to seek support. Accompanying someone through a crisis can involve fear, helplessness and exhaustion. No one has to carry the entire responsibility alone. The Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe und Suizidprävention, for example, provides information for those affected as well as for relatives and friends. Information and support services
If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time and looking for support, we’ve put together some places to turn to below: telephone services, options for online counselling and information for those affected and their relatives.
You don’t need a diagnosis, and you don’t have to know yet how to explain your situation in order to get in touch. For each service you’ll find information about who’s behind it, who it’s intended for and when support is available.
Not every moment spent together has to lead to a serious conversation. Sometimes it's easier to simply be together on a walk, over a cup of tea, or while listening to music and stories. With hörbert, you can create such simple moments: a child shares their favourite story, an adult a song that means a lot to them, or an older person some familiar recordings. From this, encounters and little breaks in everyday life can emerge. They are not, however, a substitute for professional support or treatment.
A conversation with a trained person can be a first step. If symptoms persist, get worse or start to affect your everyday life, it makes sense to also contact a doctor’s surgery or a psychotherapy practice. 116 117 offers guidance on the first steps and on finding a psychotherapy practice in Germany.
If there is an immediate danger to life or an acute risk of harm to yourself or others, dial 112 in Germany. Telephone counselling, chats and online forms are no substitute for emergency care. Information from the German federal health portal
The following details were checked on 7 October 2026 based on information from the providers. Availability and offerings may change; you can find up-to-date information on the respective websites.
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