GP and Mental Health in Norway: What Your Doctor Can Do

Published July 23, 2026 · 6 min read

If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges in Norway, your GP (fastlege) is usually the first place to turn. They can assess you, help you directly, or connect you with the right specialist.

What can a GP do for mental health?

GPs in Norway handle far more than physical illness. A significant share of consultations involve mental health, from mild stress and sleep problems to depression and anxiety disorders.

In concrete terms, your GP can:

• Listen to you and make a clinical assessment of your condition
• Diagnose common conditions such as depression, anxiety, and adult ADHD
• Start medication (e.g. antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication)
• Provide brief counselling and advice on coping strategies
• Issue a sick note (sykmelding) if needed
• Write a referral to a psychologist, district psychiatric centre (DPS), or psychiatrist
• Coordinate care between different services

When should you contact your GP?

You do not need to wait until you are in crisis. Contact your GP if you are experiencing:

• Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness for more than two weeks
• Anxiety or worry that is disrupting your daily life
• Sleep problems lasting more than a few weeks
• Difficulty concentrating or persistent low energy
• Thoughts of harming yourself

What happens at a mental health consultation?

When booking an appointment, it helps to mention that you want to discuss mental health, this allows the GP to set aside enough time. A standard appointment is 20–30 minutes, but GPs can schedule longer slots for mental health concerns.

During the consultation, the GP will typically ask about your symptoms, how long they have been going on, your sleep, social situation, and whether you have had thoughts of self-harm. It can feel difficult to talk about, but GPs are used to these conversations.

Getting a referral to a psychologist or specialist

If your GP assesses that you need more support than they can provide, they will write a referral. There are several pathways:

Psychologist with a public subsidy agreement

Psychologists who hold a public practice subsidy (avtalepraksis) are partly funded by the state. You pay only the standard co-payment (around NOK 340–400 per session as of 2026), and the rest is covered. These psychologists often have waiting lists of a few months.

District Psychiatric Centre (DPS)

DPS is an outpatient clinic within the specialist health service for adults with moderate to severe mental health conditions. A GP referral is required. You have the right to choose your DPS anywhere in the country (fritt sykehusvalg).

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (BUP)

For those under 18 years of age. Your GP can refer, but so can the school health service, family health centres, and child welfare services.

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor specialising in psychiatry. Your GP will refer you when specialist medical expertise is needed, for example for severe depression, bipolar disorder, or psychotic conditions.

Your right to prioritised care

After the specialist health service receives your referral, they must assess it within 10 working days and notify you whether you have the right to necessary health care and set a deadline for when treatment must begin. If the deadline is not met, you have the right to receive treatment elsewhere at public expense.

Low-threshold options, no GP referral needed

If you need help quickly, several options do not require going through your GP first:

• Private psychologist without subsidy: No waiting list, but you pay the full rate
• Municipal mental health service: Most municipalities offer free low-threshold services, ask your GP or contact your municipality directly
• Frisklivssentral (Active Health Centre): Guidance and coping groups available in many municipalities
• Mental Helse helpline: 116 123, free, around the clock

What if I don't have a GP?

Without a GP, getting a referral to a subsidised psychologist or DPS is difficult. You can contact the out-of-hours GP line (legevakt, 116 117) for an acute assessment. For non-acute needs, your municipality's mental health service can usually help without requiring a GP referral.

The most important step is to register with a GP as soon as possible so you have a doctor who knows you over time.

Frequently asked questions

Can my GP refer me to a psychologist in Norway?

Yes. Your GP can refer you to a subsidised psychologist, a DPS outpatient clinic, or BUP for under-18s. With a referral, you pay only the standard co-payment.

Can I see a psychologist without a GP referral?

Yes, but you pay the full rate, typically NOK 1,000–2,000 per session. With a GP referral to a psychologist with a public subsidy agreement, you pay only a co-payment.

What do I do in a mental health crisis without a GP?

Call 116 117 (out-of-hours GP line) or Mental Helse on 116 123 (free, 24 hours). If there is immediate danger to life, call 113.

Can a GP in Norway prescribe antidepressants?

Yes. GPs can assess and start treatment for depression and anxiety with medication. For more complex conditions they typically involve or refer to a psychiatrist.

Sources

• Helsenorge: Om Henvisninger. Hvordan henvisning fungerer og hvilke frister som gjelder. Sist oppdatert 19. juni 2025.
• Helfo og Helsenorge: Egenandel hos lege. Gjeldende egenandeler hos allmennlege og legevakt, og hvem som slipper å betale. Sist oppdatert 1. januar 2026, med satsene som gjelder i år.

This article was written with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Last verified 3 August 2026. If something looks wrong, tell us at hei@dinlos.no and we will correct it.

This article provides general information about the Norwegian GP scheme, not medical or legal advice. Rules, rates and waiting times change. For binding information about your own situation, see helsenorge.no or contact Helfo.