Mental Health Care in Norway

Mental healthcare in Norway is integrated into the public healthcare system and covered under the standard copayment structure. Patients access mental health services through GP referral to district psychiatric centres (DPS) or community mental health teams. Copayments for outpatient psychiatric consultations are approximately 350-400 kr per session, subject to the annual frikort cap of 3,165 kr, after which treatment is free.

Norway has invested heavily in mental healthcare infrastructure, with district psychiatric centres (DPS) serving as the backbone of outpatient mental health services. Inpatient psychiatric care is entirely free, as with all hospital stays. Waiting times for outpatient mental health treatment average 40-50 days for adults and 35-45 days for children and adolescents, though these vary by region and severity. Emergency psychiatric services are available 24/7 through crisis teams at DPS facilities.

Psychological services outside the public system are available but expensive, with private psychologist sessions costing 1,000-1,800 kr per session. Since 2023, Norway has been piloting a programme for direct access to psychologists without GP referral in some municipalities. The government has also increased funding for digital mental health services and low-threshold community-based programmes, particularly targeting young people aged 16-25 who experience the highest rates of mental health challenges.