Mental health experts call for improved support for youth

Experts and medical organizations are emphasizing the need for improved mental health support and prevention strategies for children and adolescents. A study conducted with the University of Leipzig involving 247 youths highlighted the effectiveness of digital tools, noting that over half of the participants had never previously discussed their mental burdens. The platform krisenchat, which provides anonymous 24/7 support to young people in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Ukraine, has facilitated nearly 230,000 conversations.

While digital chat services help lower barriers to entry, psychotherapists warn against the uncritical use of AI chatbots in acute crises, noting they may be unsuitable for managing suicidal ideation.

Additionally, the German Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy (DGKJP) is calling for a national prevention strategy. President Prof. Dr. Michael Kölch noted that half of all long-term mental illnesses begin in childhood or adolescence. The organization advocates for better integration between families, schools, and medical providers to ensure early intervention and reduce long-term societal and economic costs.