Mental health support for British nationals in Norway
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Norway.
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 113 for ambulance/medical emergencies. For police call 112 and for fire call 110.
For less urgent medical attention, call the out-of-hours medical service on 116 117 or contact your GP/local healthcare service. See Helsenorge help if you are struggling with mental health and Norway doctors and medical facilities.
The national mental health helpline is Mental Helse and can be contacted on 116 123 locally or +47 91 116 123 internationally. If the situation is critical and about life or death, call 113.
Not all medical or emergency services staff speak English. You may need to consider using a local translator or interpreter. Use the list of translators and interpreters in Norway if needed.
Prescriptions
Bringing medicines into Norway
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and bringing medicines into Norway.
Accessing medicines in Norway
If you take regular medication, you should bring at least enough to last for your stay. Consider bringing extra in case your stay in Norway is extended for any reason.
If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in Norway, you should approach a local pharmacy. Read more in Helsenorge healthcare as a tourist, which can provide advice and information on local pharmacies.
Bring a copy of your prescription to Norway. 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 Norway.
To access inpatient care voluntarily in Norway, contact the relevant hospital, district psychiatric centre or healthcare service. Public information says mental healthcare is provided through hospitals and district psychiatric centres. See Helsenorge mental healthcare for adults in Norway.
People experiencing a mental health crisis may be detained in hospital and treated against their wishes if legal criteria are met. In Norway this is called “tvungent psykisk helsevern”. Read more information on Helsedirektoratet psykisk helsevernloven and Helsenorge psykisk helsevern.
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 Norway. Helsenorge says your GP can refer you to a hospital, district psychiatric centre, psychiatric clinic or outpatient clinic. See Helsenorge mental healthcare for adults in Norway.
Treatment outside of hospital
Mental health care, including non-urgent treatment, is available in Norway outside hospital through your GP, municipality mental healthcare services and district psychiatric centres. See Helsenorge help if you are struggling with mental health.
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Norway 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 Norway. Check entitlement and coverage before receiving care. See Helsenorge healthcare in Norway.
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 Norway for advice. Use professional services if you are abroad if needed.
Support from agencies and organisations in Norway
Contact these organisations in Norway for mental health support and advice:
There are also some social support organisations in Norway 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.