What to Do in a Psychological Emergency in Prague
What can you do if it is the middle of the night and you are feeling particularly lonely, scared, distressed, or desperate?
A crisis hotline is a phone number people can call 24/7 to get immediate over-the-phone emergency support, usually by volunteers trained to provide basic immediate relief over the phone, primarily by listening, without forming a therapeutic relationship between the client and the volunteer.
It is not therapy or counselling and the aim is neither to understand the roots of the client's suffering nor to produce lasting improvement in his/her feelings, thoughts and/or behavior, but rather to provide some temporary relief by offering human contact.
Volunteers with a particular area of expertise can also provide guidance in situations where a person is in danger or requires legal protection, such as child abuse, rape, or domestic violence.
Currently there is no 24-hour Crisis Line in English in Prague. Luckily, the Internet and low-cost telephone connections (SKYPE etc.) enable you to contact reputable international Crisis Lines around the clock. Many are available in several European languages.
International Crisis Lines
Samaritans
Samaritans provide confidential emotional support to people experiencing distress or despair, including those that could lead to self-harm. They are based in the UK and offer 24/7 service in English by phone or e-mail.
Tel: +44 84 57 90 90 90
BEFRIENDERS
Befrienders is an international helpline network run by Samaritans. It provides listening and support in over 20 languages worldwide.
US Health Department National Suicide Prevention 24/7 Hotline
Tel: +1-800-273-8255
US National Domestic Violence Hotline
Help is available in many different languages.
Tel: +1-800-799-7233
The Rape Crisis Center (US)
+1-702-366-1640
International Federation of Telephone Emergency Services (IFOTES)
Brings together National Associations of Telephone Emergency Service offering emotional support, immediately accessible to any person suffering from loneliness, in a state of psychological crisis, or contemplating suicide. To find a contact in your country click on "country members."
http://www.ifotes.org/support.html
Czech Emergency Numbers
If you or someone close to you is feeling severely depressed, suicidal, delusional, generally disoriented, or behaves in a way that presents a threat to self or others while you are in Prague, please immediately contact either the general emergency line or any of the appropriate services below:
GENERAL EMERGENCY LINE
112 is similar to the American 911 general emergency service, active in all EU countries, and can be traced with caller ID. If you have a medical emergency (including acute psychiatric condition or suicidal state) an ambulance will arrive to take you to the nearest appropriate medical facility.
English- and German-speaking operators: 112
Czech-speaking operators: 115
If you speak Czech, you may call direct emergency numbers:
AMBULANCE/ FIRST AID 155
PRAGUE POLICE 156
STATE POLICE 158
FIRE 150
Or you may choose to call one of the medical centers for foreigners:
Canadian Medical Care
General: 235-36-01-33
After Hours Emergency: 724-30-03-01
UNICARE
General: 224-220-040
Emergency: 608-10-30-50
English Language Emergency: 602-20-10-40
German Language Emergency: 608-10-30-40
Or you may need to go straight to one of the Prague hospitals:
RIAPS Crisis Center
24 hour psychiatric emergency center address: Chlcickeho 39, P-3
24 hour crisis line: 222-580-697
BOHNICE Hospital
A specialized psychiatric hospital in Prague with an emergency service and 24 hour outpatient crisis center. Telephone operators only speak Czech but some doctors speak English.
General: 296-569-111
Crisis line: 284-016-666
MOTOL Hospital
24 hour emergency service with a reception for foreigners. Very good for emergencies, but they don't specialize in psychiatry.
Nemocnice Motol, V Uvalu, 84 P-5
224-431-111
234-433-681
HOMOLKA Hospital
Nemocnice na Homolce, Reentgenova 2, P-5
257-272-146
257-272-144
Disclaimer:
Contact numbers on this page are provided for your information only. Balanced Lifestyles Counselling in Prague does not specifically endorse any of these organizations and services and is not responsible for the way they function. Please be aware that the quality of service may vary dramatically depending on the individual answering the phone at any given moment and contact information is subject to change at any time.