Mental health support for British nationals in Sweden
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Sweden.
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 1177 Healthcare Guide or call 1177 to make an appointment with a doctor. See Healthcare in Sweden for contact details for the nearest healthcare centre (vårdcentral) or urgent care centre (akutmottagning) in Sweden.
The national suicide support line can be contacted on 90101. A web chat is also available through Självmordslinjen.
Not all medical or emergency services staff speak English. You may need to consider using a local interpreter or translator.
Prescriptions
Bringing medicines into Sweden
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and travelling with medicines into Sweden.
Accessing medicines in Sweden
You may find it difficult to find certain medicines in Sweden. If you take regular medication, you should bring at least enough to last for your stay. Consider bringing extra in case your stay in Sweden is extended for any reason.
If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in Sweden, you should approach a local pharmacy, which can provide advice and a list of local doctors.
Bring a copy of your prescription to Sweden. This can help doctors find the exact or similar medication. Please be aware that it usually takes around 3 to 5 days for the prescription to be issued.
Admission to hospital for mental health reasons
Hospitals with mental health facilities are available in Sweden. To access inpatient care voluntarily in Sweden, call 1177 or visit 1177 Healthcare in Sweden to find the nearest healthcare facility.
People experiencing a mental health crisis may be detained in hospital and treated against their wishes if legal criteria are met. In Sweden this is called “psykiatrisk tvångsvård”, including “sluten psykiatrisk tvångsvård” for inpatient compulsory psychiatric care. Read more information on the Swedish Compulsory Psychiatric Care Act.
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 Sweden. Call 1177 for healthcare advice and information about where to seek care, or see 1177 Healthcare in Sweden.
Treatment outside of hospital
Mental health care, including non-urgent treatment, is available in Sweden outside hospital through regional healthcare services and primary care. See 1177 Healthcare in Sweden and Public Health Agency of Sweden mental health information.
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Sweden 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 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 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 Sweden 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 Sweden.
Support from agencies and organisations in Sweden
Contact these organisations in Sweden for mental health support and advice:
- MIND
- Självmordslinjen (suicide helpline), telephone 90101. In an emergency call 112
- Äldrelinjen (support for elderly people), telephone 020-22 22 33
- Föräldralinjen (for parents concerned about a child), telephone 020-85 20 00
- Livslinjen, an online chat for people aged 16 to 25
A list of support organisations in Sweden is available on 1177.
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.