Crazy brave together: On Friday, the MUT-TOUR stops off in Leipzig

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Mental health is no longer a marginal issue – and yet many people still feel left to cope on their own. In Germany, nearly 18 million people are affected by mental health conditions every year – more than one in four adults. Yet most do not talk about it, remaining alone with the emotional burden that seems so at odds with a society that constantly expects peak performance. And a cheerful face to go with it. The MUT Tour will continue to draw attention to this silent suffering in 2026. In public. With a stop in Leipzig.

In a global study involving over 1,800 people with severe mental health conditions (schizophrenia and depression), around 80 per cent reported experiencing discrimination in at least one area of their lives. (Source: Lasalvia et al., The Lancet 2013 / ASPEN-INDIGO study)

Through genuine encounters, physical activity and open conversations on an equal footing, the MUT-TOUR has been campaigning for greater social cohesion and openness since 2012, and this summer it is once again travelling 4,100 kilometres across Germany on tandems.

What is the MUT-TOUR?

Since 2012, those affected, their relatives and professional support workers have been cycling and walking together across Germany, speaking openly along the way about their experiences – with journalists, passers-by and decision-makers. The focus is not on the diagnosis, but on the individual and their personal story.

On 30 May 2026, 13 stage teams (12 on tandems, 1 on foot) set off from Kassel and will arrive in Bremen on 12 September: around 4,000 kilometres, 3.5 months, over 50 public campaign days. After stops in Jena and Chemnitz, the MUT-TOUR will stop off in Leipzig before continuing on to Halle.

The short video ‘Tandem Tales’ gives a first impression.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vbNH7F4x8Y

The MUT-TOUR 2026 is financially supported by DAK, BARMER, the German Pension Insurance Fund, the Rhineland Regional Council (LVR), the Anni Gruber Foundation, the Kämpgen Foundation and the SV Werder Bremen Foundation.

Why now? Why this topic?

Around 18 million people in Germany are affected by a mental health condition every year – depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, bipolar disorder, PTSD, substance use disorders and many more. (Source: BDP / BPtK / LApK Bavaria, December 2024)

The average waiting time from the initial consultation to the start of therapy is 142 days. (Source: BPtK 2020, data from Q1/2019)

On 1 April 2026, the reimbursement rate for psychotherapeutic services was reduced by 4.5 per cent. The decision by the Extended Assessment Committee was taken following failed negotiations between the KBV and the GKV-Spitzenverband and was sharply criticised by the KBV and the chambers of psychotherapists. (Source: GKV-Spitzenverband)

Between 50 and 90 per cent of all suicides are attributable to mental health conditions. (Source: DGPPN / Brieger et al. 2021)

Action Day in Leipzig

Over 50 public action days will take place along the entire route in 2026 – free of charge, with no registration required, and open to everyone. Alongside information stands and hands-on activities, there will be car-sharing and group walking events, whilst local associations and self-help groups will present their services, complemented by open discussion sessions.

On Friday 14 August,
the MUT-TOUR will stop off in Leipzig and warmly invites you to an action day focusing on mental health.

You can meet them from 1.30 pm to 3 pm on the Sachsenbrücke in Clara Zetkin Park
.

From 1.30 pm, there will be information stands on mental health and local support services, and the MUT-TOUR tandems are expected to arrive at around 2 pm.

Partners taking part on site include: SRH, WEGE e.V. – an association for relatives and friends of people with mental health conditions, Mosaik Leipzig e.V. – Psychosocial Centre for Refugees, the Leipzig Alliance Against Depression e.V., and Das BOOT gGmbH – Social Psychiatric Centre.

Participation is free of charge and no registration is required.