Description of krisenchat

krisenchat (German for “crisis chat”) is a counseling service aimed at children and youths in need of general psychosocial support as well as in acute crisis and can be contacted free of charge, pseudonymously and 24/7 via WhatsApp or SMS. In addition to listening to, calming and comforting users in acute crises, the service engages on cooperative problem solving focusing on promoting users' self-efficacy. If indicated, users are referred to local support services and the health care system. The volunteer counselors have a professional background in health or social work. Counselors are trained to monitor chats for acute suicidality or other acute threats rather than screen for clinical diagnoses. Evidence-based guidelines, including an overview of risk factors and screening questions to address sensitive topics, enable the counselors to assess the current situation and identify individuals at risk. In the case of acute suicidal tendencies, the counselors call an on-call service, staffed by doctors, psychotherapists, psychologists and social workers, which is available 24/7, with whom they discuss further support.