Germany's School Mental Health Coaches Axed Despite Student Success

A federal programme placing mental health coaches in German schools has ended after three years. Despite positive feedback from students and experts, the Bundestag discontinued funding at the close of 2025. Now, opposition parties are calling for its revival, but the future of the initiative remains unclear.

The decision leaves many coaches without contracts and schools without a support system that students relied on for stress, anxiety, and daily pressures.

The mental health coach programme began as a pilot to address rising stress and emotional struggles among young people. Trained professionals worked regularly in partner schools, running workshops on topics like stress management, mindfulness, and coping with crises. They also provided one-on-one conversations and safe spaces for open discussions about mental health.

An evaluation by the University of Leipzig rated the programme highly, and students consistently requested more support in areas like self-regulation and dealing with academic pressure. The School Barometer survey further highlighted the overwhelming demands of daily school life, with many young people citing anxiety about the future, climate concerns, and friendship struggles. Yet, by the end of 2025, funding ran out, and most coaches' contracts were not renewed. Some have been reassigned to similar roles, but many are no longer permitted to work in schools. The abrupt end dismantles networks built over years and removes a system that students described as vital. The federal government has now proposed 2.6 billion euros to expand broader mental health structures, such as multiprofessional teams and psychological support in schools. However, no specific plans exist to permanently integrate the coach model. Opposition parties argue that scrapping the programme sends the wrong message about prioritising youth mental health. They also point to key lessons from the pilot, including the time needed to build trust with students and the strain caused by constant funding uncertainty.

The discontinuation leaves schools without a dedicated mental health resource at a time when student stress remains high. While the government's new funding aims to strengthen support systems, the loss of the coach programme removes a direct, trusted point of contact for many young people. The decision's long-term effects on student wellbeing and school mental health services will depend on how states implement the proposed alternatives.