Emergency
The overview below offers a first orientation for crisis and emergency situations. I cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the telephone numbers and links listed – if in doubt, please check independently or contact the services directly.
The names of these services are given in German, as that is how they are listed and how you will be answered on the telephone. Please be aware that not every service can be reached in English. TransVer, listed at the end of this page, can arrange interpreting in numerous languages.
Acute emergencies
In cases of acute danger to yourself or others, or a medical emergency:
Please do not hesitate to call the emergency services or to go to the psychiatric emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Mental health crises
Berliner Krisendienst
Free and, if you wish, anonymous counselling in mental health crises – by telephone or in person. The regional offices can be reached every day and also offer in-person crisis conversations where needed.
Regional offices:
- Region Mitte (Mitte, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg) (030) 39063 10
- Region West (Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf) (030) 39063 20
- Region West (Spandau) (030) 39063 30
- Region Nord (Pankow) (030) 39063 40
- Region Nord (Reinickendorf) (030) 39063 50
- Region Süd-West (Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Tempelhof-Schöneberg) (030) 39063 60
- Region Ost (Lichtenberg, Marzahn-Hellersdorf) (030) 39063 70
- Region Süd-Ost (Treptow-Köpenick) (030) 39063 80
- Region Süd-Ost (Neukölln) (030) 39063 90
Further information: berliner-krisendienst.de
Social Psychiatric Service (Sozialpsychiatrischer Dienst, SpDi)
The Social Psychiatric Services of the Berlin districts support adults with mental illness, addiction, or intellectual disability. Doctors, social workers and psychologists offer counselling, crisis intervention and support in arranging further help – for those affected as well as for relatives and the wider social environment. Depending on need, conversations take place at the district offices or as home visits.
Availability: Monday to Friday, 8:00–16:00. Every Berlin district has a Social Psychiatric Service; the locations can be found via the district overview on the website of the State of Berlin: Sozialpsychiatrische Dienste der Bezirke
Medical on-call service (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst)
116117 – outside regular consulting hours you can obtain medical help here, as well as support in arranging medical and psychotherapeutic appointments: 116117.de
Telephone counselling (TelefonSeelsorge, around the clock)
- TelefonSeelsorge (0800) 111 0 111
- TelefonSeelsorge (0800) 111 0 222
- Europe-wide short number 116123
Berlin emergency services overview
Official overview by the Berlin Senate Administration of emergency numbers, on-call services, psychiatric emergency care and further sources of help: berlin.de – Notdienste
Berliner Notruf
Overview of psychosocial counselling and crisis services in Berlin: berliner-notruf.de
Berlin Suicide Prevention Centre (Berliner Fachstelle Suizidprävention)
Information on suicidality, support for those affected and for relatives, and a Berlin-wide finder for counselling and support services: suizidpraevention-berlin.de
Specific support services
Women's crisis line (Frauenkrisentelefon)
BIG-Hotline
Help with domestic violence against women and their children. Daily 8:00–23:00, including weekends and public holidays: (030) 611 03 00
LARA
Specialist centre for women affected by sexualised violence. Monday to Friday, 9:00–18:00: (030) 216 88 88
Drug emergency service (Drogennotdienst)
Poison emergency line, Charité (Giftnotruf der Charité)
Advice on poisoning or suspected poisoning – for adults and children. Available around the clock: 030 19240, giftnotruf.charite.de
Further information and counselling
OBEON – online counselling
Free psychological counselling online by chat, video or email. Please note: this service does not replace acute or emergency care. obeon.de
Intercultural therapeutic support
TransVer – counselling, referral and support
Informs, advises and refers people with a migration or refugee background experiencing psychological distress to suitable psychosocial, psychiatric and psychotherapeutic services. Counselling is free of charge and can be provided with interpreting services in numerous languages.
Müllerstraße 156a, 1. Hof links, Aufgang 7, 13353 Berlin. Telephone: (030) 209 69 04-0, Email: transver@charite.de, transver-berlin.de
Centre for Intercultural Psychiatry & Psychotherapy (ZIPP)
Specialist outpatient clinic of the Charité for people with a migration or refugee background, and for particular intercultural questions in psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care. Information about ZIPP · Contact form