One in Five German Students Reports Psychological Distress

A new study highlights the ongoing mental health challenges faced by students, with war, climate anxiety, and academic pressure as key stressors.

The Robert Bosch Stiftung's 'Deutsches Schulbarometer' reveals that 21% of German students feel psychologically burdened, with the rate rising to 33% among those from low-income families.
Key stressors identified include global conflicts, academic pressure, climate concerns, and future uncertainties, with girls aged 14-17 particularly affected.
A quarter of students rate their overall life quality as low, and 20% report feeling uncomfortable in school, with inadequate mental health support cited as a major issue.
Students face long delays for external therapeutic support, averaging four to five months, while many schools lack sufficient psychological resources, with one school psychologist serving over 5,000 students on average.
Experts and student advocates call for systemic changes, including reducing academic pressure, improving teacher-student feedback, and implementing alternative assessment methods to foster better mental health.