Civil servant status and health: Emma is not allowed to become a civil servant

Emma wanted to become a civil servant. She was 19 years old when she was accepted for a dual study program and moved to Berlin specifically for this purpose. But then a medical examination put an end to her plans: because she had been in psychological treatment several years ago, Emma was not allowed to become a civil servant.

Many people are afraid of such a rejection. Out of concern that they will not have a chance of obtaining civil servant status later on, those affected even forego support. Instead of encouraging them, the system sends a fatal signal: those who admit their problems and seek help are punished.

Civil servants are employees of the state - and the state has an interest in them remaining able to work in the long term. Therefore, applicants must undergo a medical examination before being appointed as civil servants. This usually includes a medical history form that asks about previous illnesses. The extent to which psychological diagnoses or other previous illnesses must be disclosed varies from state to state. The examination also includes health checks such as measuring the body mass index. According to the Berlin Education Senate, there are only a few cases in which an application for civil service is rejected for health reasons.

But those affected report that they do not even seek help - for fear of consequences. Or they look for alternatives: prospective teachers have the option of school psychological support. Others affected finance help out of their own pocket in order to avoid entries in their health data - a financial privilege that not everyone can afford.

Graduate psychologist Fredi Lang from the Professional Association of German Psychologists advises against ignoring mental health problems at all. Applicants do not need to justify themselves. The medical officers must prove on an individual basis that potential civil servants would leave the service early due to a mental illness. Exclusion is the exception rather than the rule. On the contrary, if treatment is successful, people are more resilient afterwards.

But as long as there is no transparency for applicants, some will continue to shy away from seeking psychological help.

Emma stayed in Berlin and worked her way up in start-ups. A second attempt to become a civil servant is out of the question for her - the fear of being rejected again is too great.