Mental Health

Many healthcare practitioners in Switzerland specialize and help in difficult personal or family situations. Basic health insurance (Grundversicherung|assurance de base) 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|la Main tendue) via telephone, e-mail, or chat (telephone 143, www.143.ch). A family doctor 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 youth counselling services (Jugendpsychologischer Dienst| Service de psychiatrie pour les jeunes). 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 hot line (Kindernotruf | Urgences enfants) via telephone, e-mail, or chat (telephone 147, www.147.ch). For psychiatric emergencies in children and adolescents, the Central Outpatient Center for Children and Adolescents (ZAKJ) can be reached around the clock by calling 056 462 21 20. There are also the following addresses:

• Emergency center NZKJP: regions Bern city and Mittelland; Oberaargau and Emmental; Oberland (phone 031 932 88 44, every day, 24h)
• Outpatient center KJP Biel, Biel region (phone 032 328 66 99, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm)
• Hospital center Biel (telephone 032 324 24 24, every day, 8 am to 6 pm).

Help in cases of addiction is offered through addiction counselling services (Suchtberatung | Centre de consultation en matière d'addiction). These offices offer free and confidential consultation and treatment. Those concerned about family members or friends may also contact these offices. Addictions come in more forms than alcoholism or drug addition. Help is also offered for other addictions such as gambling, shopping, the internet, or eating disorders. Questions may also be asked via e-mail.

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.