Mental health support for British nationals in Lithuania
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Lithuania.
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, contact your local healthcare provider or check healthcare entitlement information. See Healthcare for UK nationals living in Lithuania and Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania.
For emotional support, if you are feeling mentally unwell, contact Vilties linija on 116 123 locally. For medical advice and information about the nearest psychiatric emergency unit in Lithuania, call 112. 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.
Prescriptions
Bringing medicines into Lithuania
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and Lithuania-specific healthcare information:Healthcare for UK nationals living in Lithuania.
Accessing medicines in Lithuania
If you take regular medication, you should bring at least enough to last for your stay. Consider bringing extra in case your stay in Lithuania is extended for any reason.
If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in Lithuania, you should approach a local pharmacy Mano vaistinė pharmacy list who can provide advice and information on local pharmacies.
Bring a copy of your prescription to Lithuania. 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 Lithuania.
To access inpatient care voluntarily in Lithuania, contact the relevant hospital or healthcare service. Public sources listing psychiatric and mental health facilities include:Republican Vilnius Psychiatric Hospital;Ministry of Health institutions under the Ministry of Health.
People experiencing a mental health crisis may be detained in hospital and treated against their wishes if legal criteria are met. In Lithuania this is called “priverstinis hospitalizavimas ir priverstinis gydymas”.Read more information in the Republic of Lithuania Law on Mental Health Care.
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 Lithuania. Publicly available information says mental health centres provide outpatient psychological and psychiatric support, including psychiatric consultations. See Psychological Assistance Lithuania.
Treatment outside of hospital
Mental health care, including non-urgent treatment, is available in Lithuania outside hospital through mental health centres and public health bureaus. See Psychological Assistance Lithuania and Ministry of Health mental health services reform information.
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Lithuania 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 Lithuania. Check entitlement and coverage before receiving care. See Healthcare for UK nationals living in Lithuania.
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 Lithuania for advice.Professional services if you are abroad.
Support from agencies and organisations in Lithuania
Contact these organisations in Lithuania for mental health support and advice:
There are also some social support organisations in Lithuania 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.