Mental Health

Many healthcare practitioners in Switzerland specialize and help in difficult personal or family situations. Basic health insurance (Grundversicherung) covers the treatment of mental illness by officially recognized practitioners, such as psychiatrists. Stays in clinics are covered as well. Persons experiencing difficulties may also benefit from free services while remaining anonymous. For example, Extended Hand (Dargebotene Hand) via telephone, e-mail, or chat (telephone 143, www.143.ch). A family doctor (Hausarzt/Hausärztin) can also offer further help. If a person is in acute danger of hurting himself or others immediate action is necessary. The police (telephone 117) are helpful in such emergencies.

A good first step for young people experiencing mental difficulties is to contact the school counselling services (Schulpsychologischer Dienst). Parents who are concerned about their children may also contact the service. Free and anonymous support is offered to children and young people through the children's hotline (Kindernotruf) via telephone, email or chat (telephone 147, www.147.ch). In case of mental emergencies involving children or young people, parents can also contact the child and youth psychiatry service (Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie) on 061 325 51 00.

Help in cases of addiction is offered through the addiction support service in the Basel region (Suchthilfe Region Basel) and the Multicultural Addiction Counselling Centre in Basel (Multikulturelle Suchtberatungsstelle, MUSUB). These offices offer free and confidential consultation and support. Those concerned about family members or friends may also contact these offices. Services are offered in several languages. Addictions come in more forms than alcoholism or drug addition. Help is also offered for other addictions such as gambling, shopping, Internet or eating disorders. Questions may also be asked via email.

Persons who have had difficult experiences which they have not had the chance to process should ask for help. Trauma is a serious mental illness. In addition to consultation and support services for mental difficulties and illness there are services specializing in victims of war and torture.