Contact 1177 Vårdguiden for healthcare guidance, reach out to Mind Sverige for crisis listening, and explore community and refugee support via Röda Korset, BRIS, and Svenska kyrkan. Interpreters are available, and you can get help even if you don’t speak Swedish or English.
Call 112 immediately if you or someone you know is in danger or at risk of suicide.
Whether you need urgent help, long-term treatment, support for children, or community and refugee services, these national organisations can guide you to the right care. If you’re unsure where to begin, Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner (SKR) can also help you locate services in your local municipality.
most importantly: help is available, interpreters can be arranged, and you do not need to navigate the system alone.
Call 112 immediately if you or someone you know is in danger or at risk of suicide.
1177 Vårdguiden is the main gateway into Swedish healthcare.
- Website: 1177
- Phone: 1177
- What they provide: 24/7 medical advice, help finding local clinics and psychologists, interpreter services, and information in multiple languages
mind sverige – självmordslinjen
Mind Sverige is a non-profit organisation providing confidential support for people experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, loneliness, or mental health challenges via anonymous phone, chat, or email.
- Website: mind.se
- Phone: 90101 (chat and email support also available)
b.r.i.s. (children's rights in society)
BRIS is a children's rights organisation offering free and confidential support to children and young people. Trained counsellors provide a safe space to discuss worries, mental health concerns, family issues, and school challenges.
- Website: bris.se
- Phone: 116 111 (chat support available)
- Services are available in Swedish and English, and interpreters can be arranged
röda korset (many services available with interpreters)
The Swedish Red Cross provides humanitarian support for people affected by crisis, conflict, displacement, and trauma. Services include psychosocial support, counselling, family reunification assistance, and community-based activities for refugees and asylum seekers.
- Website: rodakorset.se
svenska kyrkan
The Church of Sweden offers counselling, social support, community activities, and crisis assistance in many parts of the country. Many services are available to everyone regardless of religious belief or background.
- Website: svenskakyrkan.se
sveriges kommuner och regioner (s.k.r.)
- The national organisation representing Sweden's municipalities and regions. Its portal helps individuals find information about local healthcare providers, mental health services, crisis support, and public services within their specific area.
- Website: skr.se
While Sweden has fewer nationwide crisis lines operating entirely in multiple languages, healthcare rights remain strong:
- Healthcare providers are legally required to provide professional interpreters
- Interpreter services are completely free of charge
- You can request assistance in your own language when calling 1177 or visiting healthcare and mental health services—meaning you do not need to speak fluent Swedish to receive care
sveriges kommuner och regioner (SKR)
SKR is the national organisation representing Sweden's municipalities and regions. Its resources can help individuals find information about local healthcare providers, mental health services, crisis support, and other public services available in their area.
- Website: skr.se
Sweden does not yet have many nationwide crisis lines in multiple languages, but:
- healthcare providers must provide interpreters
- interpreters are free of charge
- you can request help in your own language when calling 1177 or visiting healthcare services
You do not need to speak Swedish to receive mental health care.
- Most community services are free or low‑cost
- No referral is needed
- Many groups operate in English or use interpreters
- Municipal integration services: search your municipality name + “integration stöd”
- International social groups: look for local Facebook groups for internationals
- Call 112 immediately if you or someone you know is in danger or at risk of suicide
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional or local emergency services if needed.
↗︎ 112 (emergency contact info)
↗︎ 1177 healthcare guidance website
↗︎ Mind – Swedish mental health nonprofit (English available, helpline)
↗︎ Röda Korset – Red Cross support for refugees & asylum seekers
↗︎ Uppsala University – multilingual therapy
↗︎ Bris – support for children & youth in crisis (hotline, multilingual)
↗︎ Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner (SKR) – information on public healthcare access
⬢ Crisis support and resources for internationals
⬢ Learn about mental health symptoms - what to look out for
⬢ Learn about mental health treatment for internationals
is swedish required to join community support groups?
No. Many international-focused organizations, expat hubs, and peer support networks operate entirely in English or offer multilingual settings to ensure newcomers feel comfortable.
are these services only for refugees?
No. While specialised organisations often support refugees and asylum seekers, the vast majority of community-led mental health initiatives, peer circles, and expat welfare groups are open to all newcomers, regardless of how they moved to Sweden.
can community support help with clinical symptoms?
Yes, as a complementary tool. While peer support cannot replace professional medical treatment for clinical conditions like severe depression or trauma, it heavily complements clinical care by reducing isolation, building social connections, and lowering everyday stress.
are these community support services free?
Usually yes. Most peer support groups, expat meetups, and NGO-led mental health circles (such as those run by local Red Cross branches or international community centers) are free of charge or run on a voluntary donation basis.
where can I find these groups?
Through local non-profits, international hubs, and digital platforms.
Organisations like Mind, the Swedish Red Cross, local non-profits, and expat community groups in cities like Gothenburg and Stockholm frequently host mental health workshops, drop-in circles, and social support networks. You can also search local community boards or ask for recommendations via 1177.