Mental health support for British nationals in Grenada
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Grenada.
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 911 and ask for the ambulance or police or go to the emergency department at any general hospital.
List of Emergency Services on the Government of Grenada website.
For less urgent medical attention make an appointment with a doctor or visit one of the islands Health Care Clinics. See Grenada: medical facilities - GOV.UK
The national support line 988 in Grenada is a toll-free mental health crisis hotline launched to provide immediate support for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, and other mental health crises.
Prescriptions
Bringing medicines into Grenada
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and Grenada travel advice - GOV.UK.
Accessing medicines in Grenada
You may find it difficult to find certain medicines in Grenada. If you take regular medication, you should bring at least enough to last for your stay. Consider bringing extra in case your stay in Grenada is extended for any reason.
If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in Grenada, you should approach a local pharmacy who can provide advice.
Bring a copy of your prescription to Grenada. This can help doctors find the exact or similar medication.
Admission to hospital for mental health reasons
Hospitals with mental health facilities are limited in Grenada. You should consider whether this impacts your ability to travel there.
To access inpatient mental health care on a voluntary basis in Grenada, you should first visit a local health clinic or a public or private hospital. A healthcare professional will assess your needs and, if specialist treatment is required, may refer you to Mount Gay Psychiatric Hospital.
People experiencing a mental health crisis may be detained in hospital and treated against their wishes if they are thought to be a risk to themselves or others.
This is comparable to sectioning in the UK but there are significant differences in procedure and law. 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 Grenada. You can find a list of hospitals that offer outpatient mental health care in our list of doctors and medical facilities for Grenada. Grenada: medical facilities - GOV.UK
Treatment outside of hospital
Mount Gay Psychiatric Hospital provides community mental health services across Grenada:
- Community Mental Health Nurses provide support in every Health District
- Community Mental Health Clinics are held once a month in every Health District
- in St George’s Community Mental Health Clinic’s are held every week
Mental health care, including non-urgent treatment, is also available in Grenada outside of hospital. See our list of doctors and medical facilities for places that may be able to offer treatment. Grenada: medical facilities - GOV.UK
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Grenada 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.
You may be entitled to non-urgent medical attention. Check with your provider before receiving care.
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.
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 Find a professional service abroad - Find a lawyer abroad in Grenada 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 Grenada.
Support from agencies and organisations in Grenada
There are some social support organisations in Grenada that you may wish to contact.
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Ministry of Social Development, Psychosocial Support Unit: +1 473 440 2269
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Legal Aid and Counselling Clinic, offers psychological services: +1 473 440-3785/3788
International organisations
These international organisations may be able to help you whilst you are overseas:
- Befrienders Worldwide with the Samaritans
- World Federation for Mental Health
- World Health Organization
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.