Vorheriger Tag Previous day
Day 4

A psychological support e-mail will be answered

"I am almost 16 and I have been cutting myself since a year..."|"I am almost 16 and I have been cutting myself since a year..."

A psychological support e-mail will be answered
Day 4
Emergency emails help young people in emotional distress|Psychological support for young people via email

"I'm almost 16 and I've been cutting myself for a year now." I don't have anyone I could confide in about this - not even my parents. To them, I'm a failure anyway." This is one of over 85,000 cries for help that have been written to jugendnotmail.de over the past 14 years. Julia M. is a psychologist and works voluntarily as an online counselor at jugendnotmail. Every day she receives emergency emails from young people in desperate life situations. These include self-harm, family problems, depression, eating disorders and many other problems. Together with those seeking advice, she works out individual solutions. She "listens" to them, offers help for self-help, supports them in finding someone they trust in their area and strengthens them in their life situation. "It's good to know that someone is worried about me." I don't feel so alone anymore. Thank you. You somehow gave me some kind of hope. Even though I'm scared to take all these steps, I'm going to fight for it."|"I'm almost 16 and I've been cutting myself for a year. I have no one to talk to - not even my parents. They think I'm a failure anyway." This is one of 85,000 emergency emails that jugendnotmail.de has received over the past 14 years. Julia M. is a psychologist and volunteer online counselor at jugendnotmail.de. Every day she receives emergency emails. Emails from young people in desperate situations. Emails about self-harm, family problems, depression, eating disorders and similar problems. Together with them, she tries to develop individual solutions. She "listens" to them, helps them to help themselves, supports them in finding a confidant in their environment and gives them strength. "It's good to know that someone cares about me. I don't feel so alone anymore. Thank you. Through you, I have somehow found something like hope again. Even if I'm afraid to take all these steps, I will fight for it."

Emergency emails help young people in emotional distress|Psychological support for young people via email
need
Anonymous and free online counseling for children and young people in emotional distress throughout Germany.|Anonymous and free online counseling for children and young people in psychological distress in Germany.
activity
Volunteer psychologists and social workers provide online counseling to help children and young people find solutions in crisis situations.|Volunteer psychologists and social workers provide online counseling to help children and young people find solutions in crisis situations.
Measurable effort
Number of young people in mental distress who received support through online psychosocial counseling.|Number of young people in mental distress who received support through online psychosocial counseling.
Result
In fewer children and adolescents overall, worries and problems develop into mental illnesses.|In fewer children and adolescents, mental problems and worries develop into mental disorders.
Systemic effect
In the long term, a general decline in mental illness among young people can be observed.|In the long term, a general decline in mental illness among young people can be observed.
background

Mental illnesses are among the most common illnesses among children and young people in Germany. A study on the health of children and young people in Germany by the Robert Koch Institute (2014) found that 20 percent of those under 17 have mental health problems. 10 percent show clearly recognizable disorders and require treatment. Experts expect this number to increase dramatically in the coming years. Suicide is already the second most common cause of death among children and young people after accidental death (Federal Statistical Office, 2013). This trend is also confirmed by the user statistics of jugendnotmail.de. Since the project was launched in 2001 by the association jungundjetzt eV, the number of emergency calls has risen steadily. This increase can also be explained by the changed communication behavior of children and young people. The Internet currently offers young people a virtual space in which they can spend time and communicate. While in 2010 only 14 percent of 12 to 19 year olds had their own smartphone, today 88 percent have one. Almost all of the young people's smartphones (94 percent) are internet-capable (JIM study, 2014).|Mental disorders are among the most common illnesses among children and young people in Germany. According to the KIGGS study (2014) by the Robert Koch Institute, 20 percent of those under 17 show signs of mental problems. 10 percent even have clearly identifiable mental disorders that require treatment. Experts assume that this number will rise dramatically in the next few years. Suicide among children and young people is already the second most common cause of death after death by accident (Federal Statistical Office 2013). This trend is also reflected in the user statistics of jugendnotmail.de. Since the project was founded in 2001, the number of emergency emails has risen steadily. This increase is also related to the changed communication behavior of children and young people. The Internet offers young people a virtual space in which they can communicate. In 2010, only 14 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds owned their own smartphone, but now 88 percent own one. Almost all of the young people's smartphones (94 percent of the youngest generation) have Internet access (JIM study 2014).

Day 4 Day 4
The good deed

On the online platform jugendnotmail.de, children and young people who are in emotional distress can receive advice and support: anonymously and free of charge. Volunteer specialists from the fields of psychology and social education provide advice on around 20 topics such as depression, self-harm, violence, fear, bullying, abuse, family problems and eating disorders. In dialogue with those seeking advice, the advisors work out individual solutions for the relevant crisis situation and provide assistance in taking further steps. Young people in their distress often have no one to confide in. So they keep their worries to themselves, which can become increasingly stressful over time. Jugendnotmail.de offers the lowest inhibition threshold that a counseling service can offer. Online and anonymously, it is easier for young people to talk about difficult, stressful, taboo or intimate things. Topics that cause fear and shame can be addressed more directly. Jugendnotmail.de has a preventive effect, meets young people where they are and shows future solutions that can counteract the development of mental illnesses. Online counseling strengthens the mental health of children and young people, thereby relieving the burden on parents and educational institutions.|Children and young people in emotional distress receive anonymous and free counseling via the online platform jugendnotmail.de. Experts from the fields of psychology and social education advise on topics such as depression, self-harm, violence, anxiety, bullying, abuse, family problems and eating disorders. In times of need, young people often have no contact person they can trust. They often keep their worries to themselves, which can be very stressful in the long run. jugendnotmail.de offers a very low inhibition threshold as a counseling service. Difficult or intimate things can be discussed more easily online and anonymously with young people, so that sensitive topics can be addressed directly. jugendnotmail.de acts preventively and identifies approaches that can counteract the development of mental illness. The aim of the online consultation is to strengthen the mental health of children and young people, thereby relieving the burden on parents and educational institutions.

AboutGermany|Germany
Berlin
Berlin
Capital city
80 651 900
80 651 900
Population
47 590 USD
47 590 USD
Gross domestic product per capita per year
6 of 187|6
6 of 187|6
Human Development Index

Last in the European comparison: Germany is not child-friendly (Survey by the Foundation for Future Issues, 2012)|At the very bottom of the European ranking: Germany is not a child-friendly country (Survey by the Foundation for Future Issues, 2012).
About the organization and further information

Association

jungundjetzt eV|jungundjetzt eV

PHINEO Initiative Transparent Civil Society European Donation Seal|PHINEO, Transparency International, European Quality Seal

Further information and source