Guide from erstmalreden.de

Help for refugees with language barriers

After flight, uncertainty, or violence, mental distress can be very strong. You do not have to understand the help system alone.

Take trauma and distress seriously

Sleep problems, fear, panic, withdrawal, pain, anger, guilt, or constant tension can appear after flight, violence, war, loss, or insecure residence. This does not mean you are weak. A first counseling contact can help sort the path.

Language and orientation

Ask about interpretation, multilingual counseling, and psychosocial centers. BAfF offers orientation about centers for refugees. Depending on your region, social counseling, migration counseling, family doctors, or counseling centers can also help find the next step.

If authorities or letters cause fear

Residence issues, hearings, letters, deadlines, or appointments can increase emotional distress. Social counseling can be important then. Mental health support and social questions often belong together, even when different places are responsible.

What you can say

A start can be: "I am a refugee. I am emotionally distressed. I sleep badly, feel afraid, or am very tense. I need help and someone who can interpret."

Emergency remains emergency

In acute danger or danger to life, call 112. This page does not replace emergency help, therapy, or diagnosis.

What you can do now

  1. Name language and location.
  2. Look for a psychosocial center or social counseling.
  3. Use 112 in danger.

erstmalreden.de offers orientation and wording support. It does not replace counseling, therapy, diagnosis, or emergency help.