In 2025, Germany's telephone psychological support service received over 2.1 million calls, similar to the previous year, according to service head Ludger Storch. He stated that the most common issues callers face are social relationships and feelings of loneliness, along with problems such as violence, addiction, mental disorders, and suicidal thoughts. Storch noted that about two-thirds of the callers are women, and the largest age group ranges from 50 to 70 years old. The service also recorded around 90,000 online calls, mostly from people aged 20 to 40, whose concerns focused on the loss of social connections and fear of communication. These problems were exacerbated by the pandemic and intensified due to crises and wars such as those in Gaza and Ukraine, Storch added. The service comprises about 7,800 volunteers who undergo a full year of training. However, it faces financial challenges due to a decline in church tax revenues and reduced government support, making it more dependent on donations to ensure its 24/7 operation.
