Guidance

Mental health support for British nationals in Qatar

Published 4 July 2022

The information contained in this note is intended for your general guidance only, it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. While all due care has been taken in compiling this information, accuracy cannot be guaranteed and the applicable law and procedures may occasionally change. For these reasons neither His Majesty’s Government nor any member of the British Consular staff can accept liability for any costs, damages or expenses which might be incurred.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office holds and uses data for purposes notified to the Information Commissioner under GDPR and the Data Protection Act 1998 (which may be viewed at www.ico.org.uk). Such personal data may be disclosed to other UK Government Departments and public authorities.

FCDO consular support

See the travel and mental health page for generic information on preparing for travelling and living abroad, and information on organisations in the UK who may be able to offer assistance and information.

What to do if you need help

In an emergency, you can:

• call 999 for an ambulance
• call 999 for the police
• go to the emergency department at any government hospital or private hospital (private hospital charges will vary). After an initial assessment, you may be referred to a local mental health facility or admitted at the hospital for further care

If you are experiencing a mental health difficulty and/or are concerned for a family member/friend/colleague regarding mental health, contact the Mental Health Helpline Service on 16000. There are mental health professionals who can assist. All information given at the time of this initial call can be anonymous.

Information on some of the facilities available locally can be found under “other useful information” section of this document. These centres have teams of psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, and other health workers, which are accessible to adults and children.

If you are a resident in Qatar, your medical insurance may provide cover for some Mental Health care, check your medical coverage or contact your medical insurance provider for more information on this. Equally, if you hold a Hamad Medical Card this will provide access to the state provided mental health services at a subsidized cost.

Visitors should arrange for travel insurance before they travel to Qatar, if they are not covered under these arrangements, costs for treatment can be expensive.

You can find information on Embassy opening times, find a list of local medical facilities, lawyers, and other useful information on Qatar on the GOV.UK Qatar page.

Repeat or replacement prescriptions

Some medication prescribed in the UK or other countries can be classed as controlled substances in Qatar and are illegal to possess whilst in the country. See Qatar Travel Advice for information on medication prior to your travel.

If you are on holiday or live locally and require a replacement prescription, you should approach a local hospital or clinic where the same medication or a locally available alternate medication can be prescribed. It is recommended that you carry an original or copy of your prescription with you when you travel. This cannot be used to obtain further medication. Only prescriptions issued by a Qatar Ministry of Public Health licenced doctor are accepted in Qatar.

Compulsory hospitalisation

If you come to the attention of the local police and there are concerns over your mental health, the local police may intervene and take you to a local government hospital for a mental health assessment.

There is no requirement for the authorities to notify the British Embassy, but they can upon your request. We will offer assistance, which you are free to accept or reject. Support for British nationals abroad describes the help we can give.

If you are hospitalised by the local police, the hospital will usually discharge you once they have assessed you are fit and there’s a clear care plan in place; they would also require clearance from the police. In situations where minors are subject to compulsory hospitalisation, a parent/individual with parental responsibility would need to be present at the hospital, in order to provide consent and to discuss appropriate care plans.

It would be beneficial to have a family member/friend locally to assist with any local procedures. Should the hospital recommend that the individual requires an escort for any onward travel, a family member/friend would need to assist with this; alternatively you can contact your travel insurance company.

Costs of hospitalisation

In Qatar, you will be provided with emergency medical attention free of charge at government hospitals, after which you would be required to pay for any medical treatment. Medical costs would need to be covered by the person who is hospitalized or their family. Private healthcare is also available, but can be expensive. It would be advisable to have medical insurance or check that your existing medical insurance coverage is suitable.

The FCDO are unable to pay hospital bills.

Suicide

If you or anyone known to you have had or are having suicidal thoughts, seek immediate assistance from a qualified mental health professional locally.

Contact the British Embassy for further information in relation to services and support available.

Return to the UK

Repatriation is possible in many cases and costs would normally be covered by travel insurance or personal funds. The Qatari authorities and the British Embassy cannot fund repatriation.

Once the medical team or doctors have authorised a patient as fit to travel, travel would need to be arranged through commercial means or through a medical repatriation company. If the patient needs to be hospitalised in the UK, the transfer will be to their local hospital or institution. A family member/the patient would need to provide information and gain the required approvals for admission upon return. The hospitals in Qatar and the UK will need to liaise to organise the repatriation and the reception of the patient. This process can take several days and sometimes several weeks.

The means of transport will depend on the doctors/hospitals’ assessment.

If you are hospitalised in transit, the airline will require a ‘fit to fly’ certificate from an authorised doctor, before you are able to complete your onward travel.

See medical repatriation companies in the UK.

For further information on any of the above, please contact the British Embassy in Qatar. You can find information on Embassy opening times and contact details on the GOV.UK Qatar page.

Other useful information

Qatar facilities

Name	Address	Telephone	Email	Opening hours	Languages	Experience representing British nationals	Specialisation	Affiliation	Regions covered	Paying for treatment
Hamad Medical Corporation – Mental Health Services	Hamad Medical City, Doha	Hotline number 16000 – option 2 & option 4	nesmaak@hamad.qa	Open 24 hours	English, other languages	Yes	All areas of mental health	Ministry of Public Health	Qatar	This is a state facility and treatment needs to be paid for if the individual is not covered by insurance; costs will be subsidized for residents holding a valid Hamad Medical Card.
Sidra Hospital	Sidra Medicine, Al Gharrafa Street, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar	+974 4003 3333 and ask for child and adolescent mental health services	childpsych@sidra.org	7am to 3:30pm	English, Arabic, Urdu, Hindu, Punjabi and Pashtu	Yes	Child and adolescent (ages 6 to 18 years) mental health care, including depression, anxiety, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, bereavement, general stress.	Weill Cornell Medicine and Qatar Foundation	Qatar and the broader Middle East	This is a private facility and for children under the age of 14 years, all costs must be paid before treatment can commence by the parent/guardian, for children aged between 14 & 18 years, treatment costs will be invoiced to the insurance company.
The International Medical Centre	14 Sahat Street, Jelaiah, Duhail	+974 4488 4292	info@theimcentre.com	8am-6pm, Sunday to Thursday	English, other languages	Yes	Depression, anxiety, panic, stress, adjustment disorders, relationship issues, incl. trust /jealousy, couples counselling, post-traumatic stress, bereavement, child and adolescent, chronic fatigue, insomnia, eating disorders, self-harm, chronic pain, anger management, behavioural issues & assessments, obsessive compulsive disorder, work performance coaching.	The Ministry of Public Health	Qatar	This is a private facility and treatment needs to be paid at the time of treatment either by cash or by card. A receipt will be provided for you to seek reimbursement from your insurance company.