Overview

• Bavaria highlighted its 24/7 crisis line at 0800/6553000 offering free support in more than 120 languages as a model for low‑threshold help.
• Bavarian health minister Judith Gerlach called on people to seek psychological counseling early, not only in acute crises.
• Suicide-prevention specialist Ute Lewitzka renewed demands for a single national number, a Germany-wide information and counseling center, and broader crisis-service coverage.
• Official data show more than 10,300 suicide deaths in 2023 in Germany, with attempts estimated above 100,000 each year and roughly one death every 56 minutes.
• WHO’s target of a 30% reduction in suicide rates is described as achievable through proven measures including restricting access to means and training frontline professionals.