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Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPSLeibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS

Low-threshold psychosocial support: The HOME research project brings a WHO intervention to Germany

Prevention and Evaluation Press

Refugees have often experienced severe trauma. War, persecution, violence, the loss of loved ones—many carry emotional wounds that remain hidden for a long time. This is exactly where the new HOME project comes in: Together with the Bremen treatment center REFUGIO, the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS aims to test whether an intervention developed by the World Health Organization can effectively help refugees in Germany.

A man sits hunched over, holding his head.

At the center of the project is “Problem Management Plus” (PM+), a low-threshold, preventive support program. It is aimed at people who do not have severe mental illness but are coping with significant psychological stress and who have lacked access to therapy or counseling until now. What makes it unique: PM+ is delivered by trained health mediators who speak the participants’ language. International studies show that the program can significantly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. In Germany, however, there has been no sustained implementation to date.

Bremen as a Model

HOME aims to change that. The project not only investigates whether PM+ can be effectively implemented in Bremen but also how the concept can be adapted to local healthcare structures. Additionally, barriers and enabling factors will be identified, and concrete implementation guidelines developed. This could serve as a foundation for expanding the program to other regions in Germany.

“PM+ has been well-evaluated internationally and is already established in countries such as Switzerland. We are very pleased to now scientifically test this concept in Germany as well and to examine how it can be sustainably integrated into existing structures,” says project leader Prof. Dr. Daniela Fuhr from BIPS.

Great Need for Psychological Support

The project partner is REFUGIO Bremen, a psychosocial center for refugees with decades of experience. Since 1989, the nonprofit association has been supporting people who have fled war, persecution, and discrimination. “We see every day how great the need for psychological support is and how difficult it is for many affected individuals to get help,” says Marc Millies, Head of Communications and Administration at REFUGIO Bremen. “The collaboration in the HOME project offers the chance to structurally embed an effective, language-sensitive service and thus reach people who have fallen through the cracks so far.”

The HOME project runs from October 2025 to September 2028 and is co-funded by the European Union. Registration for the program opens on April 8, 2026. Further information about the project can be found here.

BIPS – Health Research in the Service of People

The population is at the center of our research. As an epidemiological research institute, we see our mission as identifying the causes of health problems and developing new concepts for disease prevention. Our research provides the foundation for societal decisions. It informs the public about health risks and contributes to a healthy living environment.

BIPS is a member of the Leibniz Association, which comprises 96 independent research institutions. The focus of the Leibniz Institutes ranges from the natural, engineering, and environmental sciences through the economic, spatial, and social sciences to the humanities.

Leibniz Institutes address issues of social, economic, and ecological relevance. Due to their national significance, the federal and state governments jointly fund the institutes of the Leibniz Association. The Leibniz Institutes employ approximately 20,000 people, including 10,000 scientists.