Germany's School Mental Health Program Ends, Leaving Students Without Support

A pilot project offering mental health coaches in German schools has ended after three years. The initiative, which ran from 2022 to 2024, began with 20 schools in North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria before expanding to 100. Now, its sudden closure has left students, teachers, and experts concerned about the loss of vital support networks.

The program placed trained mental health coaches in partner schools to help students navigate stress, anxiety, and academic pressure. Workshops covered topics like stress management, mindfulness, and self-regulation. Many young people also sought guidance on broader issues, including the climate crisis, war, and friendship struggles.

An evaluation by the University of Leipzig rated the initiative highly, noting its effectiveness in creating safe spaces for open discussions. However, the project was never designed for nationwide implementation. Instead, it focused on building trust and relationships within a limited number of schools over time. With the program's abrupt end, the structures and networks developed over three years have now been dismantled. In response, the Federal Ministry of Education launched a new initiative, *Schule und psychische Gesundheit*, in 2025. State-funded coaching networks, such as *Mentale Stärke in Schulen*, have also emerged as alternatives. Meanwhile, opposition parties in the Bundestag are pushing to revive and expand the original program. Recent data from the School Barometer highlights the urgent need for such support. Many children and adolescents report feeling overwhelmed by daily school life, with academic pressure and future uncertainties weighing heavily on them.

The termination of the mental health coaching program removes a key resource for students facing emotional and psychological challenges. While new initiatives aim to fill the gap, the loss of established networks may leave schools and pupils without immediate support. The debate over its future continues as demand for mental health services in education grows.