Navigating the Mater*nal Mental Health System in Germany

Welcome.

If you feel overwhelmed by navigating the mental health system in Germany, you are not alone! We’ve simplified the process into three simple steps so you can access the support you deserve to feel your best.

STEP 1: SPEAK WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR MIDWIFE

Ideally your OB doctor or midwife is asking about your mental health, but this isn’t always the case. If your care provider isn’t asking you how you’re doing in a sincere and meaningful way, then reach out to them or one of the following providers to access better support:

  • OB doctor (Frauenarzt/Frauenärztin)

  • Midwife (Hebamme)

  • Pediatrician (Kinderarzt/Kinderärztin)

  • General practitioner (Hausarzt/Hausärztin)

STARTING THE CONVERSATION

Telling your health care provider how you feel when they haven’t asked can be hard. Here are some tools to make this conversation easier:

  • COMPLETE a PMADs screening like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and bring your results to your appointment.

  • JOT DOWN symptoms you’re uncomfortable with (i.e. nausea, anxiousness, obsessive thoughts) and share this list with you doctor.

  • REFER to Postpartum Support International’s Discussion Tool to pinpoint risk factors and symptoms.

  • ASK an ally to support you.*

 Many moms* don’t have a safe person to rely on for additional support. As you slowly build contacts, consider if someone you meet could accompany you to your doctor’s appointment or make phone calls for you. This could also include a partner or relative. Symptoms of PMADs can make it difficult to reach out for help; having an ally could make this journey easier.

 

STEP 2: FIND A MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Primary care providers are often able to refer you to a mental health provider in your area. Should your provider have no recommendations, you can use the following resources to find a provider near you:

  • PSYCH-INFO.DE – allows you to search for therapists using filters like location and preferred language. All professionals listed accept both public and private health insurance.

  • KASSENÄRZTLICHE VEREINIGUNG – lists doctors and psychotherapists by states that accept public insurance. A basic knowledge of German, or a translation function, is required to navigate this site. Follow the steps below to receive a comprehensive list of providers in your area who accept public health insurance:

    • LOCATE your German state ((Bundesland) on this site

    • SELECT “Arztsuche” (search for doctor)

    • COMPLETE the search fields for Arztgruppe (type of doctor), Fachgebiet (specialty), PLZ (zipcode), Ort (city), Landkreis (county)

  • IT’S COMPLICATED  -  connects you with psychotherapists who provide therapy in a wide range of topics and languages. These therapists may be able to see you sooner than someone in your region, but they require out of pocket payments.

  • SCHATTEN UND LICHT E.V. - is a German organization dedicated to improving perinatal mental health services across Germany. They provide you with a list of providers who are knowledgeable in perinatal mental health.

  • YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY - should be able to provide you with a list of mental health providers in your area.

KEEP IN MIND

In most areas of Germany there is a shortage of mental health professionals, so it can be very challenging to get an appointment. Reach out to numerous psychotherapists to increase your chances of getting an appointment. It is common to not hear back from providers: this does not mean that you did anything wrong. It is simply a result of an over-burdened system.

HOW IT WORKS

If you are seeing a psychotherapist who’s covered by public health insurance, you have 5 sessions to mutually determine if it’s a good fit before you make a treatment plan. Make sure you feel comfortable with the therapist and their approach. In the long run, it’s worth taking the time to find a good fit.

STEP 3: CONSIDER ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS

Getting support with daily tasks and/or connecting with other moms* and families can significantly reduce stress, isolation, and PMADs symptoms. Germany offers a wide range of supports for parents.

  • HOUSEHOLD HELP (Haushaltshilfe) – if you experienced a complicated or taxing birth or are dealing with PMADs, your doctor or psychiatrist may be able to prescribe help with household tasks or childcare. Speak with your doctor or insurance company to learn more.

  • POSTPARTUM DOULA (Mutterpflegerin) – if you’ve been prescribed Haushaltshilfe, your insurance may also cover a Mutterpflegerin. This person cares for you while you care for your baby.

  • FRÜHE HILFEN – is a service offered throughout Germany that supports parents of children 0-3 years old with any questions or challenges they have. Frühe Hilfen can connect you to local resources, provide direct consultation, and/or work together with a team to ensure that you get the support you need.

  • CRYING CLINIC (Schreiambulanz) - a Schreiambulanz can not only help you problem-solve and cope with the stress of colic and/or infant sleep challenges, but staff are often well versed in issues related to mater*nal mental health and may be able to refer you to other local resources.

  • PEER SUPPORT - research shows that peer support (whether through a support group or connection with friends, etc.) has a positive impact on PMADs symptoms. Afloat’s virtual support groups are open to international parents throughout Germany. Additionally, Postpartum Support International offers a wide-range of groups.

REMEMBER

Many parents experience PMADS, but they are highly treatable. Our hope is that this information helps you make your first steps toward securing the help you need to feel better.

*If at any point you need acute care—for example if you’re concerned about your or someone else’s safety—go to your local emergency psychiatric department or dial 112.

Johanna Tonn-StraavaldsenKommentieren