In need of a helping hand?: 8 English-friendly mental health resources

As an expat living away from home, whether it be for a short-term stay or a permanent move, the struggles can be ‘real’, and our mental health may be impacted. Unfortunately, many expats are unaware of what their new city has to offer in terms of free services and resources and may just end up neglecting their mental health altogether.

Luckily, the post-Covid world is a different one in many ways, and one of the positive changes the pandemic initiated was a heightened awareness and the importance of self-care. With this, a slew of great services and wellness projects have been launched in Prague and surrounding areas, both for natives and expats alike!

Here is a list of services that can ease the pain of adjusting to a foreign land, and help you in your new journey, strengthening your mental health and emotional well-being!

Resources for foreigners in the Czech Republic

Prague Integration provide foreigners with a variety of services, from personal support and counselling, group counselling, mental health workshops and events, as well as support programs for businesses.

Terapie.Cz is a fantastic app (desktop version available) where you can browse through a long list of Prague-based therapists and find a good match based on languages spoken, availability and specialization. The price for each therapy session is also indicated, so you can choose based on your budget!

InBáze.cz is a great resource offering psychological counselling, and you can browse according to languages spoken and availability. One important thing to note is the majority of the counsellors provide their services on a voluntary basis, so they are primarly a donation based organization. InBáze also offers free Czech lessons, another considerable way to help foreigners integrate and feel more comfortable and confident in their new country!

Terap.io is a website with certified English-speaking therapists and offers online sessions exclusively. This is a great option if you’re looking for an easy, and more anonymous therapy experience from the comfort of your own home.

Balanced Lifestyles - A renowned Prague-based therapist with extensive experience working with expats and those dealing with the adjustment to a new city, job, or lifestyle.

Charles University Free counselling services for full- time students are available at Prague’s largest English-speaking University. The Counselling Centre for International Students can provide help with any personal, family, or academic/professional issues and can schedule sessions in person or online through Zoom.

Expats.cz This great online resource provides a list of English-speaking therapists already working with foreigners, as well as many other helpful contacts and tips for anyone new to Prague!

Czech Governmental Helpline – For a helpline with an English option, call 1221

Crisis Intervention Center in Bohnice - If you require emergency services and would need to speak to someone immediately, the Center is open 24 hours a day. You can consult with a doctor by by calling their hotline (+420 284 016 110) or in person without appointment (Psychiatrická nemocnice Bohnice Ústavní 91, 181 02 Prague 8)

Many foreigners (and Czechs alike) are not aware of the financial compensation they may be eligible to receive from public insurance. For example, if you are registered with VZP insurance, some policies cover therapy sessions, and you can now receive a contribution of up to CZK 2,500 per person. The above-mentioned resource Terapie.cz even provides a list of VZP-covered certified counsellors, making it easy and hassle- free to choose a registered professional! For the list of specialists, click here. Some foreign insurance providers like Allianz and Cigna International are also offering similar contributions, so it would be worth considering these options before choosing a therapist.

Author: Trinity Reda