Association
The self-help organisation “Schatten & Licht e.V.” was founded in 1996 as a nationwide non-profit association. It is supported by affected parents and professionals and is advised by a scientific board. The organisation addresses the following peripartum problem areas (Latin: peri = around, partus = childbirth): peripartum depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorders, and peripartum psychosis. The association is affiliated with the worldwide network “Postpartum Support International” (PSI) in Santa Barbara, California, as well as with various medical professional societies. The aim of the association is to offer affected parents the most comprehensive and accessible support network possible.
Members
Counsellors
Professionals
Forum topics
Video
Wochenbettdepression - Wenn das Glücksgefühl ausbleibt. Ein Film über Mut, Realität und Hilfe
Postnatal Depression – When the Expected Joy Fails to Appear. A film about courage, reality and support (German only)
S&L YouTube Channel
Explore our YouTube channel for honest and insightful interviews with parents who share their experiences,
alongside conversations with experts, midwives, and a psychiatrist. (German only)
Information and Materials
Flyers and brochures can be obtained free of charge by emailing
info@schatten-und-licht.de and providing your postal address.
Please also indicate whether you would like one copy for personal use or, if you are a professional, multiple copies for distribution.
Dates
Online Seminars on Peripartum Mental Health Disorders
We regularly offer full-day (5-hour) online seminars for professionals.
(Participation fee: €85; unless otherwise stated, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.)
Please note: These seminars are currently offered in German only.
Target audience:
Staff members of pregnancy, parenting, and family counseling services,
social work and social pedagogy professionals in youth services and early childhood support,
baby navigators / baby guides, midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, psychologists,
physicians, and other interested professionals in psychosocial, therapeutic, and medical fields
1. Psychische Krisen rund um die Geburt – Familien professionell beraten und begleiten, Teil I
Available dates: 26 February 2026 or 16 March 2026
2. Psychische Krisen rund um die Geburt – Familien professionell beraten und begleiten, Teil II
Available dates: 12 March 2026 / 23 April 2026 / 20 July 2026
3. Zwangsgedanken, Angst- und Panikstörung rund um die Geburt
Available dates: 12 February 2026 / 27 April 2026
4. Beratung und Begleitung nach negativem oder traumatischem Geburtserlebnis
Available dates: 10 March 2026 / 29 April 2026
5. Wenn die Freude Trauer trägt – Beratung und Begleitung von Sternenkind-Eltern
Available dates: 24 February 2026 / 26 March 2026
6. Und wie geht es den Vätern? Männer und psychische Erkrankungen rund um die Geburt
Available dates: 03 March 2026 / 10 June 2026
7. Schätze heben – Ressourcenmobilisierendes Arbeiten in der Beratung von Familien
Available dates: 23 March 2026 / 11 May 2026
8. Psychische Krisen rund um die Geburt – Herausfordernden Gesprächssituationen
Available dates: 11 March 2026 / 17 June 2026 / 20 October 2026
9. Psychische Krisen rund um die Geburt – Beratungswerkzeuge aus der Positiven Psychologie
Available dates: 11 February 2026 / 22 April 2026
10. Frühe Bindungsentwicklung und peripartale psychische Erkrankungen
Available dates: 25 March 2026 / 08 July 2026
11. Selbstfürsorge & Resilienz als Schlüssel zur Gesundheitsförderung
Available dates: 25 February 2026 / 22 July 2026
12. Stillen und psychische Krisen rund um die Geburt
Available dates: 10 February 2026 / 14 April 2026
13. Regretting Motherhood/Parenthood - Elternschaft bereuen (s.u.)
Available dates: 06 May 2026 / 01 July 2026
14. Federleichtes Baby - tonnenschwere Sorgen: Begleitung von Eltern Frühgeborener (s.u.)
Available dates: 23 June 2026 / 11 November 2026
Ongoing Dates – Therapist-Led Online Group:
27 February – 1 March 2026, Fulda
Annual Meeting and General Assembly of Schatten & Licht e. V.
16–17 April 2026, Heidelberg
3rd Inter-Association Professional Conference
„Und wer fragt mich? Unterstützung für Kinder psychisch kranker Eltern gestalten“
(“And Who Asks About Me? Designing Support for Children of Parents with Mental Illness”)
News
Winner of the Berlin Health Award
Schatten & Licht e.V., together with a group of other organisations, has been awarded the special prize of this year’s Berlin Health Award.
Presse release
Now Available – Our Relatives’ Support Forum
A safe and supportive space for partners and family members whose loved ones are affected by peripartum mental health conditions.
Share experiences, find understanding, and connect with others who truly understand.
New Book Releases
ASENBAUM, Maria:
Postpartale Depression,
2026, ISBN 9783849706319
BROCK-HARDER, Ines:
Starke Bindung trotz schwierigem Start,
2025, ISBN 9783466312269
DREGER, MARIE:
Als Mama Schnupfen im Kopf hatte - Kleinen Kindern Depression erklären,
2025, ISBN 9783769311617
LÜTJE, Wolf:
Dein Geburtscoach - Wie du selbstbestimmt die Geburt deines Babys vorbereitest,
2025, ISBN 9783466312351
MAIWALD, Christina Lydia:
Vom Mann zum Vater - Erfahrungsberichte von 20 Vätern,
2025, ISBN 9783759776785
ROHDE, Anke / DORN, Almut:
Postpartale Depressionen und ihre vielen Gesichter,
2025, ISBN 9783170455245
SEIBEL, Ann-Katrin:
Reiß dich zusammen - Kurzgeschichten übers Muttersein,
2025, ISBN 9783384420480
WORTMANN-FLEISCHER, Susanne / HORNSTEIN, Christiane:
Postpartale psychische Störunge,
2025, ISBN 3170449893
Donations
October 2025: A Generous Gift for Supervision
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our long-standing supporter Monika Lange for her renewed and generous donation of €1,500. Her contribution made a much-needed day of supervision possible for our volunteer counsellors and group facilitators — strengthening those who support others every day.
September 2025: A Collective Donation of €10,385 in Loving Memory
We are deeply moved and grateful for the collective donation of €10,385, given in memory of Carolin and Runa. This meaningful act of remembrance will help ensure support, understanding and hope for families affected by peripartum mental illness.
May 2025: Generous Donation
Our sincere thanks go to Dipl.-Psych. Ute Kulbe for her generous donation of €1,000. Her support directly strengthens our work and helps us continue to be there for parents in vulnerable moments.
January 2025: Generous Donation from the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel
We would like to thank the team of the maternity ward at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Klinikum Bethel, for their generous donation of €1,020, collected during their Christmas celebration in 2024. The donation will be used for the benefit of affected mothers.
Since July 2022: Donations from Moodie GbR
We would like to thank Romy Maria Hesse and Kimberly Jobson of Moodie GbR for their generous ongoing support.
For every nursing pad sold, Moodie GbR donates a percentage of the proceeds to our organisation each month.
This wonderful idea has already supported our work with a total of €8,321.50, and we are truly grateful for this commitment.
Self-tests & Questionnaires
The following anonymous self-assessment questionnaires are designed to help mothers reflect
on their emotional well-being after the birth of a child. The postpartum period can be accompanied
by intense emotional changes, and feelings such as exhaustion, anxiety, or emotional distress
are more common than many realise.
These questionnaires may help identify signs of peripartum mental health conditions or post-traumatic
stress symptoms following childbirth. They do not replace a medical or psychological diagnosis,
but they can provide valuable initial guidance.
If completing a questionnaire suggests that you may be experiencing psychological distress, you do not have to face this alone. You are very welcome to make use of our support services, including our self-help groups and list of counsellors, which are linked here.
Available questionnaires:
Mental Health
Clinical Presentations
The emotional states a mother may experience during pregnancy, childbirth, and the period following birth can be broadly grouped into three main categories: postpartum blues (baby blues), perinatal depression, anxiety and obsessive–compulsive disorders, and perinatal psychosis. These categories do not exist in isolation. In fact, they often overlap and may transition gradually from one into another.
Causes
The causes of these peripartum reactions vary widely from one individual to another. A wide range of physical, hormonal, biochemical, psychological, social, and societal factors interact and influence one another. In most cases, it is the combination of several contributing factors that leads to psychological overload. The number and intensity of these stressors determine the severity of the condition.
Support and Treatment Options
The prognosis for the vast majority of mental health conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth is very good. However, the period leading up to recovery is often marked by profound emotional suffering for the affected mother. Without appropriate support and timely intervention, the level of distress can become overwhelming. In some cases, this despair may lead to thoughts of ending one’s life — sometimes even together with the child — simply because the situation feels unbearable. Feelings of hopelessness dominate everyday life.
Prevention
In general, women who have experienced depressive episodes at various points in their lives, or who have previously gone through postpartum depression or psychosis, are at an increased risk of developing postpartum mental health conditions. In such cases, preventive measures are strongly recommended. Effective prevention includes, above all, informing the treating gynaecologists and midwives in advance, as well as ensuring early access to psychological support.
Awareness and Early Recognition
Midwives and antenatal educators play a key role in raising awareness. Antenatal education offers a valuable opportunity to provide information about peripartum mental health conditions, enabling affected women to recognise their symptoms earlier and seek appropriate support.
Personal Stories
The stories of other mothers and fathers can help you better understand your own feelings and find new hope.
Support Services
A range of support services is available to help you find appropriate support for your individual needs.
Schatten & Licht e.V. also offers delivery of additional information and materials free of charge. To request these, please email info@schatten-und-licht.de, including your postal address and a brief note indicating whether you are requesting the information as an affected parent or as a professional.
List of Self-help groups
and Counsellors
Our counsellors and self-help group facilitators provide their support on a voluntary basis and free of charge. They can also be contacted in the evenings or at weekends.
List of Professionals
This section includes a glossary of professional abbreviations, a list of professionals, and a consent form for professionals.
Mother and Baby Units
As the therapeutic services, staffing, and facilities offered by Mother and Baby Units vary considerably, it is recommended to compare detailed information about each unit.
List of Affected Individuals and Relatives
Here you will find a consent form for affected individuals and a consent form for relatives.
List of Networks
Here you will find a list of networks related to perinatal mental health conditions and their contact persons.
Initial Self-Help Measures
Simple exercises that stimulate the vagus nerve (the calming nerve) and help reduce tension.
Reading, Film and Podcast List
We have compiled a selection of information materials for you, including a reading list, a film list and a list of recommended podcasts.
Links
This section provides helpful links on a range of topics, including professional associations and support services, referrals to qualified professionals, online therapy, and further resources.
Forum
Visit our Schatten & Licht - Forum
Personal experience reports
Board of Directors
Schatten & Licht e.V.
A self-help organisation for perinatal mental disorders
Sabine Surholt
Chair
Mareike Lange
Vice Chair
Ariane Oehlrich
Treasurer
Birgit Mayr
Secretary
Karin Romberg
Board Member
Kathrin Waidelich
Board Member
Carina Wolfer
Board Member
Scientific Advisory
- Dr. Luc Turmes, Psychiatrist, Dortmund
- Dr. Rieke Oelkers-Ax, Psychiatrist, Neckargemünd
- Dr. Susanne Simen, Psychiatrist, Nürnberg
- Dr. Hans-Peter Hartmann, Psychiatrist, Langgöns
- Dr. Carl-Ludwig von Ballestrem, Psychiatrist, Esslingen
- Dr. Wolf Lütje, Gynaecologist, Hamburg
- Constanze Weigle, Psychologist, Aalen
- Loretta Moore, Psychologist, Mannheim
Honorary membership
- Prof. Dr. John Cox, University of Edinburgh
- Prof. Dr. Ian Brockington, University of Birmingham
Official Member of Postpartum Support International (PSI) -
A worldwide network dedicated to postpartum depression and psychosis - Honorary Membership
Funding
Our self-help organisation is committed to maintaining its financial independence and therefore does not accept sponsorship funding.
Our work is financed exclusively through membership fees, donations,
and—primarily—through grants from the statutory health insurance funds, for which we are deeply grateful.
Through this support, the health insurance funds have made a significant and lasting contribution to our work.
The following grants have been awarded to us in recent years:
"Statutory Health Insurance (GKV) – National Self-Help Funding"
- €90,000 in 2025
- €80,000 in 2024
- €80,000 in 2023
- €74,800 in 2022
- €0 in 2025
- €0 in 2024
- €0 in 2023
- €0 in 2022
- €17,600 for a video campaign in 2025
- €29,900 for the distribution of flyers with the magazine “Eltern” in 2024
- €13,200 for the distribution of flyers and posters with four midwifery magazines in 2023
- €14,500 for the distribution of flyers and posters with the journal “Kinderheilkunde” in 2022
- €17,600 for a video clip in 2025
- €0 in 2024
- €18,000 for the distribution of flyers and posters with the journal “Ärzteblatt Psychotherapie” in 2023
- €19,700 for the distribution of flyers and posters with the journal “Der Nervenarzt” in 2022
- €8,500 for the distribution of flyers with four midwifery magazines in 2025
- €25,600 for the distribution of flyers and posters with the journals “Kinderheilkunde” and “Gynäkologie & Geburtshilfe” in 2024
- €20,900 for the distribution of flyers and posters with the journal “Psychotherapie aktuell” in 2023
- €15,900 for the distribution of flyers with the magazine “Junge Familie” in 2022
- €1,800 for SEO optimisation of the website in 2025
- €3,600 for new website content in 2024
- €0 in 2023
- €10,900 for the distribution of flyers and posters with the journal “Gynäkologie & Geburtshilfe” in 2022
- €9,000 for the English-language versions of flyers and brochures in 2025
- €0 in 2024
- €8,200 for a website redesign in 2023
- €5,800 for a website update in 2022
TK Bayern
- €0 in 2024
- 20.300 € Druck und Versand der Broschüre in 2023
- €0 in 2022
Membership and Donation
Please support our work – help us help those in need!
Donations
Donation Account:
Schatten & Licht e. V.
Deutsche Skatbank
IBAN: DE69 8306 5408 0005 4076 21
BIC: GENODEF1SLR
Membership application
The association operates on a voluntary basis
and therefore relies on your support.
By becoming a member (membership fees are
fully tax-deductible) and through donations,
you help ensure the continuity of our work.
We are always grateful for any additional information or corrections
that may help us improve our services.
