People with depression in Leipzig can talk one to one with others who have lived through it, at two free sessions this month at the Selbsthilfekontakt- und Informationsstelle (SKIS), Leipzig’s self-help contact and information office. According to the Leipziger Internet Zeitung, the sessions take place on Tuesday, 10 November, and Tuesday, 24 November, and anyone who wants to attend has to register first.
What happened
The Leipziger Internet Zeitung published the announcement in its “Melder” section. The paper uses this section for notices sent in by third parties and publishes them without editing or checking them, so the information comes from the organisers.
The notice says the dark autumn and winter months are often especially hard for people with depression. Too little daylight and too little physical activity can cause seasonal depression or make an existing illness worse. For this reason, the peer advice service at SKIS continues in November.
The format is Betroffene beraten Betroffene, which means “people affected advising people affected”. People who have depression themselves give advice to others with depression and to their relatives. The service runs twice a month. According to the notice, many of the advisers are already active in a Selbsthilfegruppe (self-help group). They can encourage others and suggest sensible next steps based on their own experience.
The notice says the conversations happen “auf Augenhöhe”, meaning as equals rather than as professional and patient, and that they are individual conversations, not group sessions.
What it means for you
The service is for two groups of people. The first is anyone living with depression, including people who think the darker months are making their symptoms worse. The second is family members and others close to someone with depression. The notice says relatives often reach their limits and do not know what to do next. Talking to someone affected who is not personally connected to them can help them sort through their own questions and problems.
Here are the practical details from the source:
- Dates: Tuesday, 10 November, and Tuesday, 24 November
- Time: both sessions run from 16 to 18 Uhr (“Uhr” means “o’clock”; Germany uses the 24-hour clock)
- Place: Gustav-Mahler-Straße 3, Hochparterre (the raised ground floor, a few steps above street level)
- Registration: required in advance, by phone on 0341 123-6755 or by email to selbsthilfe@leipzig.de
- More information: www.leipzig.de/selbsthilfe
The notice does not say whether the sessions are offered in languages other than German. If you would prefer to speak English or another language, ask when you register. The notice also does not mention a cost.
The service is peer support, not medical treatment. The advisers speak from personal experience and do not replace a doctor or therapist. If you are newer to Germany, a conversation like this can still be a useful first step: someone who has already dealt with the system may be able to explain what helped them and where to go next.
What to watch next
The Leipziger Internet Zeitung describes this as a regular service held twice a month. If neither November date suits you, the SKIS page at www.leipzig.de/selbsthilfe or the contact details above are the best places to ask about later dates. The SKIS can also point you to existing Selbsthilfegruppen in Leipzig if you would like ongoing group contact as well as a single conversation.
Source: Leipziger Internet Zeitung
Sources
- Leipziger Internet Zeitung: Depression: Betroffene beraten andere Betroffene am 10. und 24. November, accessed 4 November 2026
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