Guidance

Mental health support for UK nationals in Bahrain

Updated 6 November 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bahrain-mental-health-support-abroad/mental-health-support-for-uk-nationals-in-bahrain

Disclaimer

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 His Majesty’s 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 www.ico.org.uk. Such personal data may be disclosed to other UK Government Departments and public authorities.

What to do if you need help

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

If there is an emergency or an urgent need for medical attention, you should either:

For less urgent requirements, the first option, as in the UK, is to make an appointment with a general physician (GP). A GP will make a first assessment, is able provide basic support and signpost you elsewhere if necessary or assist you in going to hospital. 

Waiting times for treatment are on an average 2 days, though it can be longer.

Specialities at the Psychiatric Hospital, Salmaniya

  • for children and adolescents (1 to 18 years): the hospital cares for children with mental disorders including ADHD and victims of child abuse. Autistic children are also cared for at specialist institutes in Bahrain. Outpatient and in-patient care are provided for adolescents with anxiety, OCD, depression, eating disorders, gender identity disorder, early onset bipolar and schizophrenia
  • for adults (18 to 65 years): the hospital treats adults with mental health disorders including personality disorders, psychotic symptoms, drugs and alcohol addiction
  • for the elderly (65+years): the hospital treats older people with dementia, chronic depression, bipolar and schizophrenia either in their own homes or as in-patients

Intellectual disability

Patients may be long-stay in-patients or out-patients. Treatment aims to address behavioural problems e.g. violence and self-harm.

Consent forms are presented in the Emergency Department of the Salmaniya Medical Complex. If necessary, a family member can give consent. If a patient has no family, consent can be given by colleagues. If no one is available, then two doctors could give consent.

Repeat or replacement prescriptions

If you are on holiday in Bahrain or have moved to Bahrain and require a repeat or replacement prescription, you should contact a local pharmacy who will be able to provide advice and will normally be able to provide you with a list of local GPs.

Carrying a copy of your prescription while on holiday, or after your move to Bahrain, 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. Hospitalisation requests may be made either by the police, family members or doctors.

Cost of hospitalisation

In public hospitals like Salmaniya Medical Complex, psychiatric treatment is provided free of charge for Bahrainis and foreigners if you present yourself at the Accidents and Emergency section of the hospital. If you have a local identity card (CPR), you should carry it with you. If you are a visitor in Bahrain, then a temporary CPR card will be accepted. If your legal status needs to be corrected, please contact LMRA Expat Protection Centre first by calling 995.

Private hospitals can be expensive, costing approximately BD 45 for a session with a psychiatrist. Admission fees can cost about BD 80. Additional overnight stay fees of BD 150- BD 200 per night may be incurred.

You should always take out adequate insurance before visiting Bahrain, or if you live here. You should also ensure that you declare any pre-existing conditions.

You will need to cover any costs using your private insurance, or by personal funds if you do not have travel insurance.

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.  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 road or 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.

Mental health care for detainees

A designated psychiatric doctor is assigned to treat all mental health related patients across all the detention centres in Bahrain.

Suicide

Note: If you know someone who has seriously harmed themselves, call 999 for emergency help.

Bahrain law does not criminalize suicide attempts. However, the person witnessing an act of self-harm or a suicidal attempt (or any indication that such actions were conducted) has a duty by law to assist, help and report such incidents.

In relation to minors, anyone who comes to the knowledge that a child suffers from a physical, mental, or psychological disorder in a way that poses a threat to their own safety shall immediately notify any of the following authorities:

  1. The Child Protection Centre
  2. The Public Prosecution
  3. The nearest police station
  4. The relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, or the Ministry of Education

Support from other agencies and organisations in Bahrain

Organisation Telephone / contact Role
Dar Al-Aman 80008001 For women & children experience a domestic violence
Child Protection Centre 998 The Child Helpline (998) is a toll-free, round-the-clock number that receives calls from children or concerned adults reporting violence, abuse, or danger
Police Hotline 80008008 Public Emergency Hotline
Child Helpline 998 Public Emergency Hotline
Shamsaha 38447588 / 66710901 Shamsaha provides 24/7 telephone and in-person support for victims of domestic and sexual violence, free and confidential
Unknotted Group Therapy https://linktr.ee/unknotted.bh Free support groups in Bahrain
Taafi Drug Recovery Association 17300978 Giving advice on how to properly deal with an addict

Other useful information

See travel advice for people with mental health issues (includes links to UK NGOs/services).

UK organisations

The NHS list of mental health helplines 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.

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