Sven Ganter

Mental health Animal rights Local politics

Welcome

I speak openly about mental health, advocate for animal rights, and serve as the local district representative for Kuhwald and Rebstock in Frankfurt, Germany.

01About me

From East Frisia to Frankfurt.

I grew up in beautiful East Frisia, in northern Germany. I moved to Marburg to study political science, and later to Frankfurt. After several years as a freelance radio journalist, I moved into corporate communications at a major bank.

Today, I live with my wife Katrin in Frankfurt’s City-West neighborhood. I have been a member of Frankfurt’s Green Party since 2011, served on its behalf on Local Advisory Council 2, and co-founded its animal welfare working group. My experience of depression and my wish for a fairer world shape who I am—as does the question of how to turn values into meaningful change.

“For me, compassion and dignity extend beyond our own species.”

02Advocacy

Mental health

Speaking openly. Sharing experiences.

I have been involved with the Frankfurt Alliance Against Depression (Frankfurter Bündnis gegen Depression) since 2017 and have served on its board since 2023. I contribute my lived experience and help with the practical work: at events, at our information booths, and by supporting our nonprofit’s coordinator. I want people to feel able to talk openly about depression and know where to find help.

In 2018, I spoke publicly about my depression for the first time in an interview with the Frankfurter Neue Presse. Today, I also share my experiences at events—with regular talks at Fellows Ride, a motorcycle demonstration promoting openness about depression, and most recently in a panel discussion at the German Depression Patient Congress.

Frankfurt Alliance Against Depression Read my FNP interview Watch my Fellows Ride speech

Panel discussion with Dr. Christine Reif-Leonhard and Harald Schmidt · German Depression Patient Congress, May 2026Watch the panel discussion

Frankfurt Alliance Against Depression

Making a difference together.

Our alliance raises awareness of depression, brings people together, and supports people living with depression and their families. We offer regular free activities, from running and hiking together to yoga, an open painting group, and three-way discussions between people with lived experience, families, and professionals. This work depends on people sharing their time and experience.

Starting conversations.

Frankfurt Alliance Against Depression information booth with a yellow canopy, a depression quiz, and displays about its activities — Our information booth at Fellows Ride · Paulsplatz, Frankfurt, September 19, 2026

At our information booths, we talk about depression, listen, and help people find support. I regularly take part, including at Fellows Ride, whose motorcycle demonstration raises awareness of depression and the need for support.

Explore the alliance’s activities

Recognition for our volunteer work.

Sven Ganter holds the Citizens’ Award for the Frankfurt Alliance Against Depression between two illuminated Frankfurt eagle symbols — Frankfurt Citizens’ Award for our alliance · Römer city hall, August 20, 2026 · Photo: Annika Schwind

On August 20, 2026, our alliance received the 2026 Frankfurt Citizens’ Award at Frankfurt’s Römer city hall in the “Everyday Heroes” category (“Alltagsheld*innen”). The Frankfurter Sparkasse Foundation and the City of Frankfurt present the award in recognition of volunteer work. It honors everyone who has supported people living with depression and their families through the alliance over the past ten years.

EU-MIC · Advocacy in Europe

Better treatments, tailored to each person.

How can new medicines and treatment approaches improve care for mental health conditions—and how can they reach the people who need them? These are the goals of the European Coalition for Mental Health Medicines Innovation (EU-MIC). The initiative brings together researchers, people with lived experience, families, and the pharmaceutical industry.

I am a voting member of EU-MIC’s Project Committee, where I contribute my own experience of depression. I believe people with lived experience should have a voice in deciding what questions research asks, what treatment should achieve, and how access to care can improve.

Launching in Munich

On October 9, 2026, I shared my experience of treatment-resistant depression at the EU-MIC press conference in Munich. On October 10, the initiative was officially introduced at the ECNP Congress 2026.

My statement focused on what effective treatment can change in a person’s life. For me, it is about more than symptom relief: it is about quality of life, relationships, and being able to participate in life again. This is the perspective I want to contribute to EU-MIC’s work.

Learn more about EU-MIC Learn more about ECNP

Sven Ganter speaks at the podium during the EU-MIC press conference in Munich — My statement at the EU-MIC press conference · Munich, October 9, 2026 · Photo: Dr. Tamara Werner-Kiechle

Andreas Reif, Martin Price, Sven Ganter, and Åsa Konradsson-Geuken on the EU-MIC press conference panel — EU-MIC press conference panel · Munich, October 9, 2026 · Photo: Dr. Tamara Werner-Kiechle

ECNP President Prof. Andreas Reif introduces EU-MIC on the main congress stage in Munich — ECNP President Prof. Andreas Reif introduces EU-MIC at the ECNP Congress 2026 · Munich, October 10, 2026

Animal rights

For the rights of all animals.

I work to end animal exploitation and build a vegan future through education, demonstrations, and creative activism.

Together with a group of animal rights activists from the Rhine-Main region, I helped create “The Vegan Parade,” a dance demonstration. It took to the streets of Frankfurt for the first time in 2025 and returned in 2026, when it also debuted in Osnabrück. Other European cities have already expressed interest.

I also volunteer on the Helpers Team at the International Animal Rights Conference (IARC) every year.

International Animal Rights Conference

Sven Ganter speaks into a microphone at a vigil outside Frankfurt Zoo, beside an activist in an ape costume inside a cage — Speaking at a vigil outside Frankfurt Zoo · April 8, 2025

People dancing with colorful signs and soap bubbles at The Vegan Parade — The Vegan Parade in Frankfurt · September 12, 2026 · Photo: Marco Molitor

03My district

Your contact for Kuhwald and Rebstock.

Since June 2022, I have served as the district representative (Stadtbezirksvorsteher) for Kuhwald and Rebstock, a volunteer role appointed by Frankfurt’s city executive. For local residents, I am a direct link to city hall.

Building trust
I help strengthen trust between residents and the city administration.
Helping out
I help residents with applications and concerns, and report problems in the district to the responsible city departments.
Representing the city
On behalf of the mayor, I deliver congratulations on wedding anniversaries and milestone birthdays.

Vehicle access permit for KuhwaldsiedlungMunicipal police restrict access on trade fair days. Apply here for your free permit.

Do you live in my district and have a question or concern? Feel free to email me

Let’s stay in touch

You can find me here.

Have a question, a thought, or a good idea? Send me an email or follow me on social media.

mail@svenganter.de

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