Where do I go if I need psychological help? 

Level 1: If you are in a crisis, feeling lost and or experiencing psychological difficulties, it helps to talk to someone. One of the options is calling an emotional support service (known as emocinės paramos linijos). You can find contacts for emotional support services here. Not all services are available in other languages, but you can always call and ask. Most services are staffed by volunteers. Some volunteers are very likely to speak English or Russian.  

Ukrainian war refugees can also call the Emotional Helpline of the International Organisation for Migration's (IOM) 370 800 00 474. Over 20 psychologists and one psychiatrist provide psychological consultations and emotional support. Ukrainian war refugees can also approach other emotional support services (pridėti failiuka).  

If you would like to talk to a specialist (psychologist), you can get free psychological counselling without a doctor's referral at a:

• mental health centre (known as psichikos sveikatos centras). These centres are usually established at the medical facility (known as poliklinika) where you are registered
• public health bureaus (known as visuomenės sveikatos biuras). All municipalities have one.  

It is important to call the service in advance and inquire if they have a specialist who speaks any other languages.  

Level 2: If the stressful situation is prolonged and if you are experiencing symptoms that interfere with your normal life, work, education, or if you feel that your behaviour has changed considerably, you should consult a psychiatrist. You should register for a psychiatric consultation at a mental health centre (known as psichikos sveikatos centras) or at a private health facility. The psychiatrist will assess your mental health condition and, if necessary, prescribe the treatment (medication and/or psychological counselling). You do not need a referral from your general practitioner (GP) to consult a psychiatrist. When you register for your appointment, please ask if the doctor speaks English or Russian. Consultations at mental health centres are free of charge for insured persons. In private medical institutions you will need to pay for the psychiatric consultation (approx. €70-100).  

Where to go if an emergency or at risk of suicide? 

In an emergency and when your health or life is at risk (for example, feeling suicidal), you should call the emergency number 112. After assessing the situation and if needed, the emergency team will take you to the emergency room, where emergency care will be provided, and referrals will be made on how to continue treatment. You should call 112 if you or someone close to you feels out of control, is aggressive, wants to harm themselves, is in withdrawal (suddenly stopping alcohol, drugs or medication). 

Emergency care is provided free of charge, regardless of whether you have health insurance or not.  

For more information on suicide prevention and the help available, click here.  

Are psychological services provided anonymously? 

Emotional support services can be provided anonymously. The psychiatrist at the mental health center will indicate in the system your visit and diagnosis. If you are concerned that this might have negative consequences, please discuss this with your consulting doctor. 

How do I know which specialist to contact? 

The following professionals can provide mental health services: 

• A family doctor can diagnose and treat mild to moderate depression, anxiety and insomnia, and assess and recommend help for alcohol risk.  
• A (medical) psychologist can provide psychological diagnostics, counselling and support in dealing with personal problems, difficulties in family life, interpersonal conflicts, and psychological support for people who have experienced crisis situations and/or psychological trauma. 
• A psychiatrist can diagnose all mental disorders and prescribe the necessary medication and/or psychological counselling or psychotherapeutic treatment. The psychiatrist can also make a referral to a hospital, inpatient unit or psychosocial rehabilitation. 
• A psychotherapist has a broad understanding of the human psyche and can treat patients with psychotherapeutic methods. In psychotherapy, the patient's problems are analysed and the causes addressed in a deeper way than in psychological counselling, using a specific psychotherapeutic paradigm (orientation). Psychotherapy can treat all mental disorders as well as some somatic disorders.  
• If you are unsure what specialists to consult, consult your family doctor first. 

How do I check whether I am covered by compulsory health insurance? 

Most (mental) health services are provided free of charge for people who are insured by compulsory health insurance. You can check if you are covered here (you need your ID number).   

IMPORTANT: We invite you to register for individual psychological consultations or join one of our emotional therapy groups, organized by IOM Lithuania.