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In Case of Emergency

What is an acute mental health emergency?

In certain situations, mental health crises cannot wait. It is important to seek immediate help in urgent or particularly severe cases. Here are some examples of acute mental health emergencies:

  • Thoughts of taking your own life that become increasingly intrusive and overwhelming
  • You are thinking about or have already harmed yourself
  • You feel overwhelmed in dealing with your children or a dependent relative and are afraid of losing control
  • You are on the verge of becoming violent or committing a crime and can barely hold back
  • You are afraid of becoming a victim of a violent crime
  • You know someone who fits one of the above examples

Where can I find quick help?

General emergency numbers:

  • Emergency medical services: 112
  • Police: 110

Telephone counseling – free and available around the clock, via chat and phone:

  • 0800 / 111 0 111
  • 0800 / 111 0 222
  • 116 123

Number against sorrow – Anonymous and free, via phone or online

  • Child and youth phone: 116 111 (Mon-Sat from 2-8 PM)
  • Parent phone: 0800 111 0 550 (Mon-Fri 9 AM-5 PM, Tue and Thu until 7 PM)

www.suizidprophylaxe.de: Contact addresses and help in case of suicide risk

Psychological help for people with a migration background – compiled by the Bochum Alliance against Depression

[U25] Germany – Online counseling service for suicidal adolescents and young adults: Opportunity to speak anonymously with a peer

Caritas – Online counseling on various topics, anonymous and free

Caritas Bochum – Help for people of all ages in all life situations: 0234 96422 0 or 0234 96422 65

Diakonie Bochum – Help for people of all ages in all life situations: 0234 9133-0

Social Psychiatric Service Bochum – Help for people in difficult life situations, especially people with chronic illnesses and their relatives

Stop - before something happens – A project of the Victim Protection Initiative. Nationwide, free appointment scheduling: 0721 / 470 439 35 (Mon-Fri from 8 AM-4 PM)

Women’s shelter Bochum  – Help for women and children: 0234 501 034

Women’s counseling Ennepe-Ruhr district  – 02336 4759091 (Tue-Thu from 9:30 AM-1 PM)

Violence against women – free, anonymous, around the clock and in 18 languages, online or by phone: 08000 116 016

Help hotline violence against men – via chat or phone: 0800 123 99 00 (Mon-Thu 8 AM-8 PM; Fri 8 AM-3 PM)

White Ring Bochum – Crime prevention and victim support: 0234/413398

Ways to care – Counseling and quick help for relatives of people in need of care: 030 20 17 91 31 (Mon-Thu from 9 AM-4 PM)

Addiction counseling of the DRK – For relatives of people with addiction problems: 06062 607 67 (Fri-Sun and on holidays from 8 AM-10 PM)