Nearly three million people are currently enrolled in higher education in Germany, more than half of them at universities. Many report experiencing psychological distress. Existing data suggest that in some fields of study, around one quarter of students experience depressive symptoms and roughly one third report anxiety disorders.
Lack of current data
“Psychological distress among students has been rising significantly for years, in some cases with serious consequences for academic success, personal well-being, and the functioning of the higher education system. International data remain fragmented, and a comprehensive overview for the German education sector is entirely lacking. Existing studies are difficult to compare, often outdated, and frequently limited to specific disciplines,” explains Prof. Dr. Oliver Tüscher, Director of the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine at Halle University Medicine. Together with Prof. Dr. Stefan Watzke, Head of Medical Psychology, he coordinates the new research consortium.
“The data collected through these projects and the measures derived from them are intended to benefit university students as well as school pupils and trainees. The initiative aims to strengthen mental health in the long term by identifying risk factors and promoting resilience through targeted interventions. In this way, educational dropouts can be reduced and young people better prepared for an increasingly complex working world,” summarizes Prof. Stefan Watzke.
The researchers build upon previous work. Initially, international scientific studies will be systematically reviewed and combined with extensive healthcare data from statutory health insurance providers and the German Youth Institute. One focus, for example, is the role of physical activity in reducing stress and anxiety.
Nationwide survey planned
To complete the data foundation and examine changes in student mental health over time, a comprehensive baseline analysis will follow, involving students from Berlin, Munich, Halle (Saale), Jena, Mainz, Braunschweig, and Mannheim. Surveys will take place at various points throughout the academic year. Additional participants from across Germany will be recruited via the large online study platform “DigiHero.” This approach will capture both location-specific factors and a nationwide perspective.
A key objective of the research is to identify warning signs that negatively affect mental health — so-called “red flags.” The analysis will incorporate psychological data, (neuro)biological markers, and assessments of mental health literacy, meaning the ability to evaluate one’s own mental health and manage it consciously.
Background
Researchers involved in the 13 subprojects are part of the DZPG’s expert network. The projects are conducted in close collaboration with student representatives and the DZPG’s Central Trialogical Board, which brings together individuals with lived experience, family members, and researchers from all DZPG sites across Germany.
Participating institutions include Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research in Mainz, Technische Universität Braunschweig, the German Youth Institute, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the Leibniz Institute for Work Research in Dortmund, Jena University Hospital, and the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim. The research initiative was approved on 1 January 2026 and will be funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space until mid-2028. The project will officially commence on 1 March 2026.
Press contact
Dr. Pavel Radchenko
Communications & Knowledge Management Officer
+49 151 70125839
presse@dzpg.org
