Psychosocial health

Psychosocial stress often goes undetected. Many children and young people have to cope with a mental health problem such as ADHD, ADD, an anxiety, behavioral or eating disorder.

Therapy would help in this case, but does not take place due to the lack of diagnosis, high costs or fear of prejudice. Yet many children and young people are confronted with special challenges in their young lives that can be very emotionally stressful. A chronic illness, disability, social inequality or restrictions caused by the pandemic: All of this and much more can have a major impact on psychosocial health.

Help for children and young people in crisis

To ensure that children and young people affected by the coronavirus crisis receive the right psychological help, the Emerging healthy from the crisis which has set up a new hotline. This can be used by children and young people up to the age of 22. By calling the hotline, you will be forwarded to a counseling center. The search for a therapy place is covered, as is the reimbursement of costs. You can find more information here:

In addition to the coronavirus crisis, children and young people also have to contend with other crisis-related developments. After all, the climate crisis, the economic crisis, the refugee crisis, the war and much more are also very present in the media and subsequently also in the minds of young people.

Information and hotlines for children and young people

Information and support for parents and caregivers

Children and young people often need support to overcome crises and conflicts. The following two websites offer help as well as lots of information and materials for parents and anyone who lives or works with children or young people:

Help is also available for parents and other caregivers who need psychological advice, information or an exchange with others. Sometimes you just don't know how to deal with certain situations: How do I answer questions about the war? How do I recognize that my child has an eating disorder? If you have questions about crises, coping with everyday life or for offers of help, click on the following link:

About the hotline 0800 211 320 parents and guardians can also get free school psychological counseling if they are worried and would like to get advice and help.

To get further psychological help, there are outpatient clinics and other facilities, specialists and psychotherapists that can be found under the following links:

Self-help groups

In self-help groups, those affected and their relatives have the opportunity to exchange ideas and support each other.

By talking to people who are in a similar situation to you about the challenges and obstacles in your everyday life, you will learn to cope better with your child's illness. By engaging in activities or conversations together, you not only help yourself, but also others.

At federal level, the Federal Association of Self-Help Austria, BVSHOE for short, is committed to self-help in Austria:

You can find self-help groups in your federal state at the Austrian Competence and Service Center for Self-Help, ÖKUSS for short:

Last update: July 28, 2025