Mental Health
Mental wellbeing is part of health. Here you will find immediate help, guidance and pathways to appropriate support in Switzerland.
Life Stages / Mental Health
Immediate Help in a Crisis
If you are in an acute mental emergency or are thinking about suicide, you are not alone – help is available around the clock. Die Dargebotene Hand on 143 offers confidential conversations for adults, Pro Juventute on 147 is there for children and young people. In case of immediate danger to life, call 144.
When Professional Help Makes Sense
Persistent low mood, anxiety, sleep disturbances, social withdrawal or the feeling of no longer being able to manage everyday life are serious signals. The earlier you seek support, the better many things can be treated. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Pathways to Therapy – General Practitioner, Psychiatrist, Psychologist
The family doctor is often the first point of contact: she assesses the situation and refers you further if needed. Psychiatrists are physicians and are also permitted to prescribe medication; psychological psychotherapy is covered by compulsory basic insurance when prescribed by a physician. Which path is right for you depends on your symptoms.
Self-Help & Everyday Life
Regular exercise, a stable sleep rhythm, social contacts and conscious stress management strengthen mental health. Self-help groups and low-threshold counselling services complement professional treatment. Small, achievable steps in everyday life often work better than grand resolutions.
For Family Members
Those who accompany a loved one with mental illness carry a heavy burden. Listening, showing understanding and encouraging professional help without losing yourself is a good path. Pay attention to your own boundaries and use counselling and respite services.
Figures, deadlines and what insurance covers
- Psychotherapy under compulsory basic insurance
- on medical referralSince the introduction of the prescription model, psychological psychotherapists bill directly through compulsory basic insurance.
- Sessions per referral
- 15 sessions, then extension possibleContinuation requires a new medical referral; from a higher number of sessions additionally an assessment.
- Your cost contribution
- Franchise and co-payment applyPsychotherapy is therefore subject to costs like other outpatient treatments.
- Psychiatrist
- directly accessibleAs physicians, they bill through compulsory basic insurance without a separate order; under a family doctor or HMO model, the model's care pathway applies.
- Waiting times
- regionally sometimes several weeksCrisis and emergency services are exempt from this – they are immediately accessible.
General orientation to the Swiss system, not insurance or legal advice. Amounts and rules may change annually and vary by canton — your policy, your compensation office and the linked official sources are binding.
Official contact points
Independent advisory services outside FindMyDoc.
- Die Dargebotene Hand – 143 Listening and counselling, around the clock and confidential (landline: 20 Rp. per call).143
- Pro Juventute – 147 For children and young people, accessible around the clock.147
- Pro Mente Sana Independent counselling on mental health, law and social insurance.
- Medical Emergency Service 144In case of acute danger to self or others, call immediately.144
Unsure which service is responsible for your concern? This conversation will guide you to the right practice.
This collection is for guidance only and does not replace medical advice. For health concerns, please consult a doctor.