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Mental Health
The student years are an exciting and formative phase of life. You may have been looking forward to it for some time and have been eagerly awaiting the start of your studies. You are now all grown up and starting your own, self-determined life. You will learn and experience many new things and develop professionally and personally.
However, the study period is also associated with personal responsibility, uncertainty and stress – from a mountain of learning material and numerous exams to the challenges of everyday organization. Money is tight, you may need to work alongside your studies, and what the future holds is wide open. You will certainly feel overwhelmed on some days and not everything will work out the way you wanted and imagined – especially if you have high expectations of yourself.
It is completely normal to encounter disappointment, frustration, and personal limits. Perhaps you didn't get a place on your desired degree course, fail an exam for the first time or realize after some time that your degree course doesn't really suit you. It is also possible that the expectations placed on you may go unfulfilled.
Feeling safe and secure at university isn’t easy. Family and friends from school grow more distant – and not just physically. For many students, feelings of alienation and loneliness is part of daily life, alongside conflicts in shared flats or dormitories and even heartache.
All of this impact mental health. The student years provide space and opportunity – not only for growth, but also for crises. Psychologists refer to this as a vulnerable phase of life, during which many significant developmental tasks are undertaken. On top of that, we are all currently experiencing turbulence from numerous crises, wars, and social changes.
Studies show that for many students, psychological challenges – such as high levels of stress, depressive symptoms, social anxiety and panic attacks – are also part of everyday student life, at least at times (e.g. the "Health Report 2023" by Techniker Krankenkasse and "best3 - Studying with a health impairment" by Deutsches Studierendenwerk – the websites are in German). And perhaps you, too, have your own struggles from time to time.
On these pages, you will find information about the University of Marburg’s mental health counseling services, support groups and study support services, as well as an overview of the counseling centers and therapy services in the City of Marburg, and other helpful information.
And one more thing upfront: You are welcome everywhere – just as you are!
We encourage you to take care of yourself and reach out for support when needed.
There’s no wrong time to do so. We see university as more than just a place to study. It’s a place to live, where everyone should feel as comfortable as possible.
We are here to support you, so that your time at university becomes a positive and fulfilling experience.