Goethe University Frankfurt’s Student Mental Health Counseling Service (PBS) is a low-threshold support service available to all students. A recent donation campaign aims to temporarily expand the center’s counseling services. A former student who once received help from the PBS has now made a donation out of gratitude.
Frank S. studied physics at Goethe University. When he started preparing for his diploma thesis – a project he began full of enthusiasm – work on it became increasingly complex and fragmented, until he lost track of it all. Once a top-performing physics student, Frank found himself overwhelmed by the challenge of bringing the many strands of his work together. More difficulties just kept coming up – including some serious family issues. This combination led to a deep sense of despair, from which he could not find a way out on his own. Frank quickly realized he needed professional help. But how to find a good therapist in the private sector? There were just too many options and too little information. He wasn’t sure where to even begin. In his mental state, this additional flood of questions only made things worse.
Today, nearly 40 years later, he still vividly recalls that difficult time: “Trying to find psychological counseling on my own would have completely overwhelmed me. But the fact that the institution where I was enrolled – and with which I felt connected – was able to support me turned out to be an immense stroke of luck. That’s when I came across the services offered by the Student Mental Health Counseling Services. I found a group therapy program, and fortunately, a spot opened up for me very quickly. The therapy lasted about a year and had a lasting impact: under professional guidance, I was able to talk with other students and address my issues. That helped tremendously. I was later able to successfully complete my degree. Although I abandoned my original plan to pursue an academic career, I transitioned into IT, where I’ve been working successfully ever since.”
Frank remains deeply grateful to the institution. When he came across the call for donations, launched just before Christmas, he immediately knew that he wanted to give something back to help other young people in similar distress. “I’m not a wealthy man, but I’m happy to give something back – also on a regular basis. The PBS’ services are incredibly important, which is why I decided to support their work with a donation. Looking back, I can honestly say: my life would have taken a very different turn had I not received their support back then.”
The concerns students bring to counseling are as diverse as the students themselves, explain Dr. Jana Gutermann and Dr. Laura Pomper, who jointly manage the PBS: “They include procrastination and exam anxiety, but also relationship issues, loneliness, and a lack of direction.” Students turn to the PBS when these problems start to overwhelm them and negatively impact their studies or daily lives. Transitional phases – such as the beginning or end of their studies – are especially mentally challenging. “In many instances, we’re not just talking about one crisis; there are highly individual biographies and needs behind seemingly ‘general’ problems like exam anxiety or tension in a shared flat. One-on-one counseling gives students the opportunity to speak with our professional counselors about these issues and work together on finding solutions,” says Gutermann.
Appointments are made via an online booking system. Students first receive a short, timely 30-minute orientation session to assess their specific needs and determine the most appropriate form of support. “This might mean starting a counseling process at PBS or being referred to other internal or external support services,” adds Pomper. Each semester, PBS also offers a wide range of workshops, where – under expert guidance – students exchange ideas and work on topics such as resilience, self-esteem, or future planning.
Still, demand for one-on-one counseling appointments has far exceeded capacity for years. That’s why Goethe University’s Private University Fundraising Office launched a donation campaign before Christmas. “The goal is to use donations to temporarily expand PBS’ valuable counseling services and better meet the consistently high demand. This is an important contribution to preserving and restoring the mental health of young adults in a vulnerable phase of life,” explain the two PBS psychotherapists. Given that the outpatient mental health system cannot provide short-term support due to months-long waiting times, the low-threshold, on-campus, and in some cases preventive access to counseling services directly at Goethe University is especially crucial. Df
Further Information https://tinygu.de/fui50
To make a donation, visit: www.uni-frankfurt.de/162000768
