Moving can be such an exciting experience, but leaving your familiar surroundings and support networks behind can also be quite unnerving and stressful.
It is very important to find or set up your support structures as soon as possible.
Try to keep in contact with your mental health care professionals in South Africa, at least in the transition period. Most will offer online sessions.
Make sure you have enough medication with you for at least three months before moving to Germany.
As soon as you are settled in, find a mental health care professional in Germany. Waiting times can be very long so the sooner you find someone the better. We do have medical professionals, with a South African background, listed on our website. See the links below.
Make sure you get your medication prescriptions as soon as possible.
Finding a doctor can be challenging, especially if you are looking for an English-speaking doctor. The following websites can help in your search.
- Jameda
- Med kolleg
- Doctolib – can also book your appointment here
- Therapyroute – Find Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Psychoanalysts, Mental Health Clinics, etc. near you.
- Therapie.de – Search by location and language
We suggest you contact every practice close to you and see where to get the earliest appointment.
💊 Need Advice on Medication in Germany?
If you have questions about the medication available in Germany, check out our Contact a Pharmacist service on our website. You can send your questions directly to a South African pharmacist working in Germany.
Ask a SA Pharmacist in DE
A qualified pharmacist offered to assist in trying to answer questions regarding substitute suggestions for South African pharmaceutical products.Very important – always refer to your doctor or pharmacist before taking medicationThe Admin team of this website are not medical professionals and cannot give any medical advice. Please do not misuse this service. The admin of the South Africans in Germany website will be able to read your submissions, so please do not add too many personal or private details. Answers will be sent back to us and not to you directly. We will then forward it back to you. We would
Getting an appointment/help faster
You may face long waiting times if you are on public medical aid in Germany. This is because a practice must pay large sums to get a “Kassensitz” license to be allowed to bill the public health system. It is easier to get an appointment when you are on private medical aid.
Some suggestions on how to get an appointment faster:
- Go to your house doctor (Hausartz) and get a referral to a specialist (Facharzt)
- Ask that he adds a “Dringlichkeitscode”
- Call 116117, they will ask for this code to organise an appointment with a specialist. You can also do it online
- When you use this service you cannot choose the specialist
Where to find help
- Telefonseelsorge Hotline
- Germany Suicide Hotline 0 800 181 0771
- Caritas
- TelefonSeelsorge Berlin und Brandenburg
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Suizidprävention
- Search for Zentrum für Psychiatrie
- Expat Therapist in Germany
- BetterHelp
- Instahelp – Psychologische Beratung Online
- TeleClinic online Arzt
- Trova Health – A digital health and wellness company created specifically for expats, providing mental health and remote care services worldwide.
- Loniness Network – Loneliness Network Germany (KNE) addresses the causes and consequences of loneliness and promotes the development and exchange of knowledge on possible prevention and intervention measures in Germany.
Listed on our website
Dr. med. Janine Benson-Martin – Medical Psychotherapy
Specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy I am originally from South Africa, where I studied medicine and specialized in psychiatry & psychotherapy as well as public
Kelly Robinson-Treutler – Art therapy and psychotherapy
I was born in South Africa in 1985. I gained a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art with honours from the University of Cape Town. I
Leigh-Ann Roode Psychologist
Leigh-Ann Roode is a Counselling Psychologist trained in South Africa who provides mainly online therapy to the ex-pat community Supportive Online Counselling from the Netherlands
Gary Firer Psychotherapist / Psychotherapeut
There is no path that doesn’t eventually lead home. Approach In my consultations and therapies, I will deal intensively with your feelings, needs, and your
Apps
In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining mental health is crucial. Apps can help you take proactive steps towards a healthier mind. For example, some apps can offer guided meditations and soothing sounds to reduce stress and improve sleep, you also get apps that connect you with licensed therapists for online counselling, and apps that track your emotional health and offer insights. Here are some suggestions:
Tips
- Chat with friends and family at least twice a week, make fixed appointments if needed
- Deep breathing techniques
- Colouring in
- Have a gratitude list
- Have a list of things you can do that cheer you up and take your mind off things
- Exercise is excellent to help fight depression and anxiety.
- Get out in nature as often as possible
- Sunshine
- If you are so inclined, religious support groups and prayer
Resources on the web
- Mental Health in Germany – Expatica
- Headroom – Online Mental Well-Being Platform in South Africa. They offer online sessions
Support from fellow South Africans
- Ladies Table – South African Ladies in Germany Facebook Group
- We have a support group on our website, you need to be a member to use it, membership is free
- We have a Whatsapp group that you can join. To join the Whatsapp group please see the links on our Facebook page, or you can contact us via email
South African Communities
Feeling homesick? Connect with fellow South Africans living in Germany through communities that offer friendship, support, and a taste of home. Whether you’re looking to
Vocabulary
Downloadable file with English and German Terms – Mental health
Emergency Contacts
The following numbers can be dialled in an emergency, either from a landline or mobile phone. 112The national emergency number. This can be used for
Electronic Prescriptions (E-Rezept)
Germany has implemented a new system for electronic prescriptions as part of their efforts to modernize their healthcare system. The electronic prescription system, also known as e-prescription, allows doctors to send prescriptions directly to pharmacies through a secure digital platform.
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