Guide from erstmalreden.de
After war, violence, flight, loss, or insecure residence, seeking help can be especially hard. Language and fear of authorities need to be considered.
Sleep problems, memories, panic, withdrawal, pain, irritability, or constant tension can happen after stressful experiences. A first counseling contact can help without you proving everything or telling your whole story immediately.
Say early which language you need. Ask about interpreting, multilingual counseling, migration counseling, social counseling, or a psychosocial center. If you are unsure, you can prepare a sentence and read or show it.
If letters, appointments, residence, hearings, or authorities burden you strongly, social counseling can help sort the next step. Mental health support and social questions often belong together. You do not have to understand everything alone.
You may start slowly. At the first contact, you do not need to tell every detail of flight, violence, or loss. It is enough to say what burdens you today and what help you need.
In acute danger or danger to life, call 112. Language should not stop you from calling emergency help. Name your location and say it is an emergency.
erstmalreden.de offers orientation and wording support. It does not replace counseling, therapy, diagnosis, or emergency help.