Denmark (DK)
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy in Northern Europe — the southernmost of the Scandinavian nations — celebrated for its pioneering design aesthetic (Royal Copenhagen, Bang & Olufsen, Lego), the concept of hygge (cosiness and togetherness), the world's best work-life balance, free world-class universities, a welfare state that ranks among the globe's most generous, and Copenhagen consistently topping global rankings for sustainability, cycling infrastructure, and quality of life.
Mental Health Resources
Support, crisis lines and therapy access in Denmark.
Denmark's mental health system is part of the universal public healthcare system — all registered residents have access to public mental health services free of charge via GP referral. The 2022 psychologist reform (psykologreform) significantly improved access to subsidised psychology for adults with mild to moderate conditions. Despite these improvements, waiting times for public psychiatry remain a challenge. Private psychologists are widely available in Copenhagen and other cities and are increasingly covered by voluntary health insurance.
Crisis Lines
Livslinjen
70 201 201
Languages: Danish. Some English available.
Available: 24 hours, 7 days a week
FreeMind Rådgivning
70 22 12 45
Languages: Danish
Available: Limited hours — check mind.dk for current schedule
FreeBørneTelefonen (for children and young people)
116 111
Languages: Danish, some English
Available: Daily from 11:00–23:00
Freeheadspace Denmark (youth 12–25 — walk-in, phone, email, chat)
headspace.dk — walk-in at 36 centres across Denmark; online chat also available
Languages: Danish, English at some locations
Available: Check headspace.dk for centre hours; online chat available
FreeAcute psychiatric crisis (psykiatrisk akutmodtagelse)
1813 (Greater Copenhagen) or your regional psychiatric emergency
Languages: Danish primarily, English available at most locations
Available: 24 hours (acute psychiatric emergencies)
FreeEuropean Emergency (general)
112
Languages: Danish and English
Available: 24/7
FreeAccessing Therapy
Through public insurance: Via GP referral: since the 2022 psychologist reform, adults aged 18–67 with mild to moderate anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, or stress can receive up to 8 subsidised psychology sessions (psykologbehandling under psykologordningen). Patient pays DKK 362 per session (2026) — the state subsidises the rest. Your GP makes the referral. For severe mental illness: GP refers to regional psychiatry (psykiatrien) — free but waiting times can be several months. Children and young people have separate access routes via PPR (school psychological counsellors).
Waiting times: 2022 psychologist reform (subsidised private psychologist via GP referral): typically 2–6 weeks. Regional outpatient psychiatry (ambulant behandling): 1–4 months. Inpatient psychiatric treatment: shorter for acute cases. Private psychologist without subsidy: typically 1–2 weeks.
- - Use the 2022 psychologist reform via GP referral for subsidised sessions — up to 8 sessions at DKK 362 each.
- - Employer corporate health insurance (firmahealthforsikring) often covers private psychology — check your benefits.
- - Sygeforsikringen "Danmark" Group 2 members get partial reimbursement for private psychology sessions.
- - Online therapy platforms: BetterHelp (English), Nordic Online Therapy (English-friendly), and Mindsmore (Danish) offer lower waiting times.
- - Headspace (for under-25s) provides free walk-in counselling.
- - University counselling services (Studenterrådgivningen) are available to students at Danish universities.
Online Therapy
Insurance covered: No / partially
Online therapy platforms operating in English are generally not covered by Danish health insurance schemes. The subsidised psychology scheme (psykologordningen) requires attending a Danish-registered psychologist in person. Corporate health insurance may cover some online therapy — check your employer policy.
Expat-Specific Challenges
- -Social isolation and loneliness: Denmark can be difficult to break into socially. Danes are warm to existing friends but slow to form new relationships with strangers. Expats often feel excluded from Danish social life initially.
- -Language barrier: accessing mental health services can feel harder without Danish language skills — though most psychologists in Copenhagen and other major cities speak excellent English.
- -Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) / winter depression: Denmark has very short daylight hours in winter (7–8 hours in December). Light therapy (lysbehandling) is widely used. Light boxes are commonly available.
- -The high-cost/high-tax culture shock: adjusting to the very high cost of living and tax burden can be stressful, especially in the first year.
- -Ferieloven shock: new arrivals may have very limited paid holiday in their first Danish summer — this is a known source of stress.
- -Identity and cultural adjustment: the Janteloven (don't think you're special) cultural norm can feel suppressive to expats from more individualistic cultures.
- -Relationship strain from relocation: moving to a new country places significant stress on relationships and family dynamics.
Denmark is increasingly open about mental health — the stigma is lower than in many countries. Talking about anxiety or depression is relatively normalised. If you are struggling, your GP is the best first point of contact — they speak English in most cities and can make appropriate referrals. The 1813 number (Greater Copenhagen) provides acute medical advice including for mental health crises. Livslinjen (70 201 201) is available 24/7 for crisis support.