Mental health support for British nationals in Finland
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Finland.
Read guidance on mental health abroad for broader advice on mental health issues while travelling or living abroad.
What to do in an emergency
In an emergency or for urgent medical attention call 112 and ask for the ambulance or police or go to the emergency department at any general hospital.
For less urgent medical attention visit the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health health services website or contact the relevant local healthcare service. See also Kela information on entitlement to medical care in Finland.
The national mental health crisis support service is provided by MIELI Mental Health Finland. The Crisis Helpline for English and Arabic is listed as +358 9 2525 0113, and the Finnish-language Crisis Helpline as +358 9 2525 0111. In an acute emergency, call 112.
Not all medical or emergency services staff speak English. You may need to consider using a local translator or interpreter. Use professional services if you are abroad if needed.
Prescriptions
Bringing medicines into Finland
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and check pharmacies in Finland.
Accessing medicines in Finland
If you take regular medication, you should bring at least enough to last for your stay. Consider bringing extra in case your stay in Finland is extended for any reason.
If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in Finland, you should approach a local pharmacy. Use the Apteekkihaku pharmacy search for information on local pharmacies.
Bring a copy of your prescription to Finland. This can help doctors find the exact or similar medication.
Admission to hospital for mental health reasons
Hospitals with mental health facilities are available in Finland.
To access inpatient care voluntarily in Finland, contact the relevant hospital or healthcare service. Public pages confirming psychiatric inpatient care include HUS Psychiatry and Tyks Compass Hospital.
People experiencing a mental health crisis may be detained in hospital and treated against their wishes if legal criteria are met. In Finland this is called “tahdosta riippumaton psykiatrinen sairaalahoito” or “tahdosta riippumaton hoito”.
Read more information on the website of the Finnish Supervisory Agency / Lupa- ja valvontavirasto and in the Mental Health Act on Finlex.
This is comparable to sectioning in the UK. UK mental health law is non-transferrable to other countries so even if a person is sectioned in the UK, this cannot be used to admit them to hospital abroad. The same applies to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.
To assist health professionals treating you, you may be asked to provide a medical history or help in accessing UK medical records.
Outpatient treatment
You may also be able to access outpatient care in Finland. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health states that mental health services are organised through outpatient and primary health services, specialised healthcare at psychiatric clinics and psychiatric hospital care. See Ministry of Social Affairs and Health mental health services.
Treatment outside of hospital
Mental health care, including non-urgent treatment, is available in Finland outside hospital through health and social services arranged by wellbeing services counties and through services such as crisis counselling. See Ministry of Social Affairs and Health mental health services and MIELI support and help.
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Finland without adequate travel insurance. If you are treated in hospital against your wishes, you may still be charged medical fees.
The cost of hospitalisation may be covered by your travel insurance or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
You may be entitled to medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in Finland. Check entitlement and coverage before receiving care. See Kela information on medical care entitlement in Finland.
Make sure you declare any pre-existing conditions to your insurance provider to ensure your insurance is valid. Enquire where possible ahead of any treatment about likely cost and whether it will be covered by your insurance or GHIC.
If you do not have adequate insurance, you will need to cover costs from your own personal funds.
Read about medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad and foreign travel insurance.
Making decisions on behalf of someone lacking mental capacity
To make decisions on behalf of someone ‘lacking mental capacity’, speak to a lawyer in Finland for advice. In the UK, you can apply to become someone’s deputy if they ‘lack mental capacity’ but UK deputies are unlikely to be recognised in Finland.
Support from agencies and organisations in Finland
Contact these organisations in Finland for mental health support and advice:
There are also some social support organisations in Finland that you may wish to contact:
International organisations
These international organisations may be able to help you whilst you are overseas:
Returning to the UK
If you are abroad and need help to return to the UK, the FCDO can try to assist in making plans for your return. See what the FCDO can and cannot do.
You may not automatically be entitled to state benefits if you have never lived in the UK, or if you have lived abroad for some time. This includes free NHS hospital treatment. See the returning to the UK guidance for more information, including on healthcare.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this guide is intended for your general guidance only, it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. For more information, read our consular information disclaimer.