Iceland (IS)
Iceland is a North Atlantic volcanic island nation of extraordinary natural beauty — home to geysers, glaciers, lava fields, midnight sun, the Northern Lights, and some of the world's most active volcanoes.
Mental Health Resources
Support, crisis lines and therapy access in Iceland.
Iceland has one of the world's highest rates of antidepressant use per capita — not simply because of high rates of depression, but partly because of effective diagnosis and treatment access, and partly because the extreme seasonal light variation genuinely affects mental health significantly. The polar darkness of December (4–5 hours of dim daylight) and the disorienting midnight sun of June both require psychological adjustment. The public mental health system is accessible through GP referral. Private psychologists are readily available but expensive (ISK 20,000–35,000 per session). Iceland also has some of the world's most progressive policies on mental health — the legal right to mental health treatment, well-funded crisis services, and a progressive culture around discussing mental wellness.
Crisis Lines
Hjálparsímar Rauða Krossins (Red Cross Helpline)
1717
Languages: Icelandic (primary); some English support available
Available: 24/7
FreeLíf (Crisis Support)
552-5000
Languages: Icelandic and some English
Available: 24/7
FreeHeilsugæslan (Community Health after-hours advice)
1770
Languages: Icelandic and English
Available: 24/7 (out-of-hours)
Landspítali Psychiatry Emergency
543-1000 (Landspítali main)
Languages: Icelandic and English
Available: 24/7
BSRB union counselling subsidy (for BSRB union members)
bsrb.is — up to 15 subsidised sessions/year (5,000 ISK per session); contact through union website
Languages: Icelandic and English
Available: Business hours; appointment-based
Accessing Therapy
Through public insurance: Access to psychology and psychiatry through the public system requires a GP referral. The GP (heimilislæknir at your heilsugæslustöð) can refer you to psychologist services (sálfræðiþjónusta) or to the Geðsvið Landspítala (Psychiatric Services at Landspítali National Hospital) for more serious conditions. Reimbursement: Sjúkratryggingar Íslands (SÍ) partially reimburses registered psychology sessions after GP referral. The co-payment is typically ISK 3,000–6,000 per session after SÍ contribution.
Waiting times: Public psychology services: 3–9 months for non-urgent referrals. Acute psychiatric services: assessed and treated much more rapidly. Private psychologists: typically available within 1–4 weeks. The gap between public and private waiting times is significant.
- - Private psychologists (einkasálfræðingar) — available within 1–4 weeks, cost ISK 20,000–35,000 per session (partial SÍ reimbursement after GP referral)
- - Online therapy platforms (see online section below)
- - Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) — many larger Icelandic employers provide confidential short-term counselling as an employee benefit, check with HR
- - Trade union welfare services — some major unions (e.g., Starfsmannafélag ríkisins, BSRB) provide subsidised counselling for members
- - Ask your GP for a referral to a private psychologist with SÍ contribution rather than waiting for public service
Online Therapy
Insurance covered: No / partially
Online therapy from international English-language platforms (BetterHelp, Talkspace) is not covered by Sjúkratryggingar Íslands. Icelandic licensed psychologists using video sessions can be partially reimbursed by SÍ after GP referral. For English-speaking expats, BetterHelp and Talkspace provide accessible English therapy at ISK 20,000–35,000/month (subscription model). International insurance plans may cover these costs.
Expat-Specific Challenges
- -Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and winter darkness — December in Iceland has approximately 4–5 hours of dim daylight with the sun barely rising above the horizon. This is significantly more extreme than most expats have experienced. Plan actively: purchase a 10,000 lux light therapy lamp (available at pharmacies and hardware stores), use it for 20–30 minutes every morning from October, maintain regular outdoor activity during daylight hours, and discuss with your GP if symptoms are significant.
- -Midnight sun insomnia — June's 24-hour daylight can severely disrupt sleep. Invest in proper blackout curtains (rúllugluggatjöld) before summer. Melatonin (available OTC at Icelandic pharmacies) helps regulate sleep during the midnight sun period.
- -Social isolation — Iceland is a small, tight-knit society where social networks are largely pre-established through family, school friendships, and long-standing community ties. Breaking into social circles takes patience and time. Deliberately pursuing structured social activities (sports clubs, hiking groups, swimming pool hot pot conversations) is essential.
- -Language barrier and professional status — many highly skilled expats find themselves in less senior positions initially due to language limitations. This professional downgrade can significantly affect mental wellbeing. Icelandic language classes are both a practical necessity and a mental health tool.
- -Volcano anxiety — for residents of the Reykjanes Peninsula (near Keflavík Airport and the Blue Lagoon), the ongoing volcanic activity since 2021 creates genuine uncertainty and stress. Following official civil defence guidance (almannavarnir.is), having an emergency plan, and staying informed without obsessing over news is important.
- -High cost of living stress — Iceland is one of the world's most expensive countries. Financial stress from housing costs, food costs, and the general high cost of living affects mental wellbeing. Budgeting carefully, cooking at home, using the affordable public swimming pools, and embracing Iceland's many free outdoor activities helps.
- -Limited expat mental health community — Iceland's small foreign population means fewer expat-specific support structures compared to larger cities. The English-speaking expat community does exist (check Facebook groups) but is much smaller than in London, Amsterdam, or Berlin.
The most important proactive mental health measure for anyone moving to Iceland is planning for the winter darkness. Many Icelanders rely on the swimming pool (sundlaug) hot pot culture as a form of community-based mental wellness. Joining a sports club, hiking group, or community association provides social connection that is the best prevention against isolation-related depression. If you are from a Mediterranean or tropical country, the adjustment to Icelandic winters is particularly challenging — building an active winter social life before the darkness arrives is essential. Iceland's culture around mental health is generally progressive and open — seeking help is not stigmatised.