Mental health support for students in Lithuania
Mental health support for students in Lithuania comes from three places: free counselling at your university, public mental health centres, and free 24/7 helplines. Start with your university — it is usually the fastest, and several offer sessions in English.
Start with your university
Every Lithuanian university has a student wellbeing or psychological support service, and using it is free while you are enrolled. This applies to degree-seeking students and Erasmus/exchange students alike.
- Vilnius University offers up to 4 free individual sessions a year, up to 8 group sessions, and separate crisis consultations, in person or online (see VU psychological support).
- LSMU offers up to 6 free individual consultations per calendar year, with individual counselling available in English and an online booking link (see LSMU psychological support).
Your own university's offer may differ, so check your student wellbeing page or international office for the exact number of sessions, languages, and how to book.
Book early
Free public mental health centres
Beyond your university, Lithuania has municipal mental health centres (psichikos sveikatos centras) and public health bureaus (visuomenės sveikatos biuras) in every municipality.
- No GP referral is needed for free counselling at a mental health centre if you have compulsory health insurance.
- A team there can include a psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health nurse and social worker.
- A referral from your GP is only needed to book a psychiatrist appointment through the system.
The centre is usually attached to the clinic (poliklinika) where you are registered. Because EU and non-EU students have different insurance routes, check that your compulsory health insurance is active before relying on free public services — your university health insurance contact can confirm this.
Ask about language
Helplines and crisis support
Helplines are free, anonymous and open to everyone, regardless of insurance or visa status.
| Service | Number | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency (police/fire/ambulance) | 112 | 24/7 | Free. English, Russian, Polish available. Use for any emergency or danger. |
| Vilties linija (Hope Line) | 116 123 | 24/7 | Emotional support for adults; mostly Lithuanian. Chat 17:00–20:00 weekdays. |
| Jaunimo linija (Youth Line) | 8 800 28888 | 24/7 | Emotional support for young people; mostly Lithuanian. |
| Vaikų linija (Children's Line) | 116 111 | 11:00–23:00 daily | For under-18s; English available. |
If you're in immediate danger
Other routes worth knowing
- IOM Lithuania runs individual psychological consultations and group sessions specifically for migrants, often in English or Russian.
- Private therapists are available across Lithuania and many work in English; expect to pay out of pocket (a private psychiatric consultation typically runs around €70–100 — confirm current pricing directly).
- Your peers and student union can point you to the right office quickly if you're not sure where to start.
Reaching out is a normal, practical step — the same as seeing a GP for a physical problem. Pick whichever door is easiest for you today.
Frequently asked
Is university counselling free for international students?+
Yes. Most Lithuanian universities give every enrolled student a set number of free sessions each year, and several offer them in English. You usually book through your student wellbeing or international office.
Can I get help in English?+
Often, but confirm first. Several universities run sessions in English, and the 112 emergency line and the children/teen line answer in English. Most general helplines operate in Lithuanian, so call ahead to ask about language.
Do I need a doctor's referral to see a psychologist?+
No referral is needed for free counselling at a municipal mental health centre or public health bureau if you have compulsory health insurance. A GP referral is only needed for a psychiatrist appointment through the system.
What if I'm in crisis right now?+
Call 112 (free, English available) for any psychiatric emergency or if you or someone else is in danger. For overnight emotional support, Vilties linija answers around the clock on 116 123.
Does Erasmus/exchange status change what I can use?+
University counselling is open to you while you're enrolled, including exchange students. Helplines are open to everyone. Free public mental health services depend on your health insurance, which differs for EU vs non-EU students.