Oct 02, 2025
Chancellor Merz honors AufeinanderAchten, a TU Dresden student mental health initiative – Campaign week “Fighting fit for the future!” from October 8
Award ceremony as part of the "startsocial" competition, from left to right: from left to right: Friedrich Merz (Federal Chancellor, parton of startsocial), Judith Herbers (AufeinanderAchten e.V.), Josi Harzbecker (AufeinanderAchten e.V.), Christiane Schenderlein (Minister for Sport and Volunteering).
The university group Team AufeinanderAchten (Look after each other) at TUD Dresden University of Technology is committed to raising awareness of and destigmatizing stress and mental illness. For their commitment and in particular their “first aid courses for the soul,” the students have now been honored by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz as one of the seven national winners of the 2024/25 startsocial competition. The prize was awarded to the student group alongside the supporting association AufeinanderAchten, which was founded by three TUD psychology graduates.
Campaign week for information and support
With the slogan "Fighting fit for the future!", the group is organizing various free events in Dresden from October 8 to 12, 2025, which are aimed specifically at children and young people. There will be a number of stands, workshops and discussions to get involved in that will focus on topics such as stress management, mindfulness, anxiety, crises, and where you can seek help.
Campaign week Fighting fit for the future!
October 8 to 12, 10:00 am–4:30 pm daily in the Assembly Room and Ballroom of Dresden’s City Hall, 01067 Dresden
October 11 to 12, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm daily in the COSMO, Science Forum, Schloßstraße 2, 01067 Dresden
On October 11, there will also be a free “First Aid for the Soul” course for adults. Interested participants can register until October 9, 2025.
Background: AufeinanderAchten
AufeinanderAchten imparts knowledge and skills in its “First Aid for the Soul” courses, with the aim of helping people recognize psychological stress in others at an early stage and provide appropriate support. In addition, its members are also involved in public relations work, specialist networks, and collaborations geared towards strengthening social awareness, prevention, and the destigmatization of mental illness.
Background: startsocial
startsocial supports voluntary social initiatives by providing consulting grants. As part of the grants, industry experts support the initiatives' development and professionalization. AufeinanderAchten was one of seven outstanding initiatives (from amongst 100 grant recipients) to receive the national award.
Contact:
Project week coordinator “Fighting fit for the future”: Hannah Baulig
Chairwoman of AufeinanderAchten e.V.: Judith Herbers
AufeinanderAchten e.V.
www.aufeinanderachten.de