Students Fighting for Mental Health: A Call for Change!

Students Fighting for Mental Health: A Call for Change!

The Federal Student Conference is currently taking place in Saarbrücken, and the topics being discussed here are more urgent than ever. Until Sunday, November 14, 2025, students from all over Germany, including the Hamburg state student representatives Jakob Zierep and Malena Anders, 17, have the opportunity to present their concerns. The focus is primarily on mental health, educational equity and the use of artificial intelligence in teaching. NDR reports that Malena reported how many students are dropping out and struggling to graduate due to mental health issues resulting from wars, climate change, stress and family challenges.

Particularly alarming are the statistics that show that one in six young people in Germany struggles with anxiety and depression, with girls in particular being affected. Secretary-General Quentin Gärtner warns of a serious mental health crisis in young people. The insufficient number of social workers in schools means that teachers often have to take on the role of counselors, which puts additional strain on the situation. Malena therefore calls for trained staff to be available in schools to provide psychological support.

Lack of awareness and political inclusion

Another issue that concerns the students is the lack of interest from politicians in their concerns. The board of the Federal Student Conference resigned in the summer because they felt they were not being taken seriously due to the lack of response from education politicians, including Minister Karin Prien. Jakob Zierep emphasizes that there is an urgent need to involve young people more in political decisions. Many students hardly know about the existence of the Federal Student Conference, which means that its commitment and the topics associated with it are little known. The challenge of reaching around 8 million students in Germany and informing them about important topics remains.

The use of artificial intelligence in teaching is also discussed. Malena sees this as a potential tool, but one that should be used responsibly. The relationship to digital tools and their influence on education is another hotly contested topic in the current debate.

Current studies on mental health

A report from EconStor suggests that dealing with the challenges of the digital world is just as important as providing psychological support to students. The growth of digital platforms could help address anxiety and loneliness if used correctly. However, care must be taken to ensure that the technologies students use do not create additional stressors.

The Federal Student Conference therefore represents an important platform for drawing attention to grievances and discussing solutions. The topics of mental health and educational equality are essential building blocks for the positive development of young people in Germany. Students’ voices must be heard to initiate lasting change.