Guide from erstmalreden.de
The Sozialpsychiatrischer Dienst, or SPDI, is a municipal contact point for people experiencing mental strain or crises and for relatives. You can ask what local support is available. Services differ by region.
It advises during mental crises, longer-lasting strain, and difficult care situations. Staff can help sort the situation, explain local support, and discuss next steps. It does not replace ongoing psychotherapy or automatically provide psychiatric treatment.
Contact the service responsible for where you live, usually by phone or email. A short sentence is enough: “I need support and do not know where to start.” The service then clarifies whether a meeting there, another service, or urgent help fits better.
Some services offer outreach or home visits depending on the situation and region. This is not guaranteed throughout Germany. Ask the local service whether a meeting outside its office is possible.
Municipal social psychiatric services generally do not send a direct bill to people seeking advice. Responsibility, process, and requirements may differ locally, so ask if unsure.
In immediate danger or when someone cannot remain safe, the SPDI may not be reachable quickly enough. Call 112 in immediate danger. The full list of crisis contacts is on the urgent-help page.
erstmalreden.de offers orientation and wording support. It does not replace counseling, therapy, diagnosis, or emergency help.