Mental health support for British nationals in Lebanon
Information for British nationals with mental health issues in Lebanon, including how the British embassy can help.
The information contained in this note is intended for your general guidance only, it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. While all due care has been taken in compiling this information, accuracy cannot be guaranteed and the applicable law and procedures may occasionally change. For these reasons neither Her Majesty鈥檚 Government nor any member of the British Consular staff can accept liability for any costs, damages or expenses which might be incurred.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office holds and uses data for purposes notified to the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998 (which may be viewed at聽. Such personal data may be disclosed to other UK Government Departments and public authorities.
FCDO consular support
Whenever possible we will seek your permission before taking any action on your behalf.
We can:
- listen to you and help you look at your options.
- help you to contact friends and family members if you want to.
- visit you in hospital or prison in line with our usual procedures.
- raise any concerns about your treatment or welfare with the responsible authority (such as a hospital or prison).
- help overseas medical staff contact medical staff in the UK who may be able to provide advice on your medical history.
- give information about local medication suppliers.
- be available, as appropriate, to offer you assistance if you choose to remain overseas
- liaise with your travel rep or travel insurance company, if you want us to.
We cannot:
- give advice on mental health issues.
- buy or supply medication.
- withhold or remove a passport.
- stop you from travelling abroad or require you to return to the UK.
- pay for you to return to the UK, pay for food, accommodation or medical bills.
- get you better treatment in hospital or prison than is given to local people.
What to do if you need help
If there is an emergency or an urgent need for medical attention, you should either:
- call 140 for emergency services, or call 112 for the police, or
- go to the emergency department at any government hospital or private hospital (private hospital charges will vary). After an initial assessment, you may be referred to a local mental health facility or admitted at the hospital for further care.
Information on some of the facilities available locally can be found under 鈥�Support from other agencies and organisations in Lebanon鈥� section of this document. These centres have teams of psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, and other health workers, which are accessible to adults and children.
Visitors should arrange for travel insurance before they travel to Lebanon, if they are not covered under these arrangements, costs for treatment can be expensive.
You can find information on Embassy opening times, find a list of local medical facilities, lawyers, and other useful information on Lebanon on the聽Living in Lebanon page.
Repeat or replacement prescriptions
If you are on holiday in Lebanon or have moved to Lebanon and require a repeat or replacement prescription, you should contact a local pharmacy who will be able to provide advice.
Carrying a copy of your prescription while on holiday, or after your move to Lebanon, can help doctors to find the exact, or similar medication for you.
Mental Health Hospitalisations
Compulsory hospitalisation
As in the UK, people with mental health needs may be hospitalised and detained without having given their consent if they are deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.
There is no requirement for the authorities to notify the British Embassy, but they can upon your request. We will offer assistance, which you are free to accept or reject.聽Support for British Nationals Abroad describes the help we can give.
It would be beneficial to have a family member/friend locally to assist with any local procedures. Should the hospital recommend that the individual requires an escort for any onward travel, a family member/friend would need to assist with this; alternatively you can contact your travel insurance company.
Costs of hospitalisation
You should always take out adequate insurance before visiting Lebanon, or if you live here.
You will be responsible for covering any medical or hospital costs, either through your private insurance or from personal funds if you do not have insurance.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is unable to pay hospital or medical bills, under any circumstances.
Guardianship
Guardianship is a court appointment which authorises a person to act and make decisions on behalf of another adult who it is believed lacks the capacity to make certain decisions for themselves. 聽
- A request for guardianship may be submitted by a spouse, parent, or other family member, as well as by the government legal advisor or his/her representative.
- For Muslims, the request is submitted to a聽Sharia court. For Christians, the request is submitted to their relevant religious court.
Return to the UK
Once the medical team at the hospital have agreed that the patient can be released, they may issue a fit to fly letter indicating whether the patient requires a medical escort or can travel by him/herself. 聽The medical team will also provide a medical report to show to a doctor on arrival in the UK.
The repatriation can be organised by air travel through a medical repatriation company. If the patient needs to be hospitalised in the UK, the transfer will be to their local hospital or institution.
The cost of any repatriation will be covered by travel insurance, or by personal funds of the patient if there is no travel insurance.
Suicide
If you or anyone known to you have had or are having suicidal thoughts, seek immediate assistance from a qualified mental health professional locally or call EMBRACE lifeline on 1564 (available 24/7).
Support from other agencies and organisations in Lebanon
EMBRACE | +961 81003870 | +961 1 346226 |clinic@embracelebanon.org
| LIFELINE 1564 (available 24/7) | The centre offers the following free of charge services to all populations (children, adolescents, adults and the elderly). |
-Psychotherapy using various therapeutic approaches -Psychiatric consultations where doctors assess, counsel and prescribe medical treatments -Group therapy sessions where mental health professionals support people, as they also support each other -Psychosocial consultations to connect with services in the community and access free medication as well as other services
The trained operators of the Lifeline who聽are supervised by mental health professionals are here to:
-Actively listen. -Offer emotional support. -Assess the severity of suicidal thoughts and provide support in de-escalating suicide risk. -Orient you when needed to available mental health services across Lebanon.
IDRAAC | +961 1 583583 | idraac@idraac.org
| NGO dedicated to mental health. Its mission is to raise public awareness and advocate for mental health as a basic human right while providing care for all age groups (children, adolescents, adults and the elderly). |
Lebanese聽Order of Psychologists | +961 1 361074| +961 71824404| info@lopsy.org
| The Order is the only reference and the main hub for psychologists in Lebanon. It represents them in all formal settings and preserves their rights. The Order strives to put the base of the profession of psychology on humane ethics and scientific practices of high quality, compatible with the culture of the Lebanese society. |
Other useful information
Travel Advice for people with mental health issues (includes links to UK NGOs/services)
UK organisations
罢丑别听聽has a list of organisations that can offer advice to those in the UK by phone. These organisations in the UK may be able to help you before you travel, or support family and friends in the UK.