The German health system does not consist solely of medical practices and hospitals, but is also supported by easily accessible services such as selfhelp groups and counselling centres..

Self-help groups are communities of people who are facing the same challenges: Often they have the same (health-related) problems or restrictions, and there are also special self-help groups for participants’ family members. In these groups, people provide each other with mutual support and exchange experiences. This means that the work of self-help groups is thus largely performed by laypersons. Specialists can also be invited to the self-help group’s discussions and events on specific topics. Additional information on self-help groups can be found on the website of the Federal Working Group on Self-Help for People with Disabilities, Chronic Illnesses and their Families (BAG SELBSTHILFE e.V.).

In contrast to self-help, experts in counselling centres usually offer counselling and support services. This counselling is quite often free of charge for those seeking help, and a counselling centre is often a good first point of contact for short-term, easily accessible advice and support.

Psychosocial counselling for migrants

Two psychosocial counselling options for migrants in Greifswald and Schwerin offer help in dealing with traumatic experiences and other psychological problems.

You can find the psychosocial counselling options in our map.

In addition, various other institutions or assistance services are available for psychosocial crisis situations. Here the Psychiatry Roadmap can provide orientation and use its search functions to identify the assistance options available locally or the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania:

Drug and addiction counselling

Drugs, alcohol, nicotine, medications, gambling, food, the Internet and consumerism – there are many things that can be addictive. Every addiction is a serious illness. Those seeking assistance and their families need help. Please contact a doctor or a counselling centre. The more quickly an addiction is treated, the better the chances of recovery. Fast and anonymous.

Self-help groups can also provide assistance. You can find an overview of current offers on the Website of the State Coordination Office for Addiction Issues of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Sexual health counselling

Sexually transmitted infections should also be taken very seriously. Those seeking assistance and their families need help. Please contact a doctor or a counselling centre. Sexually transmitted infectious diseases are associated with shame and stigma. Therefore, if you need advice in this regard, you should make use the support offered by the counselling centres; you can also contact them anonymously.

Self-help

Self-help groups are available to support the processes of recovery and therapy. People with similar concerns or health problems meet to help, stabilise, and give each other strength. Participation in these groups is voluntary.

The exchange and cooperation that takes place in self-help groups is unknown in many countries. The website of the Contact, Information and Counselling Centre for Self-help Groups Schwerin (Kontakt-, Informationsund Beratungsstelle für Selbsthilfegruppen Schwerin, KISS) has a video with subtitles in several languages that explains the principle of self-help. There you will also find the contact details for the counselling service.

Breastcare App – Breast Cancer Prevention

The breastcare App is an app for breast awareness to inform women about this important topic in their respective native language. You can find it in the Apple and Google app stores.