Useful resources for mental health
Staying healthy, both physically and mentally, is something we all want. Good health can’t be taken for granted, but it’s always possible to do something for our own wellbeing. Find information on how you can promote your mental health, what you can do if you or somebody close to you is suffering from emotional distress and how you get help.
Information on mental health and illnesses
At how-are-you.ch you will find various brochures with useful information on mental health and illnesses. The brochures - which cover many aspects, such as work, family and old age - can be downloaded or ordered.
We talk about everything. About mental health and illnesses too.
The brochure contains brief and clearly written explanations of common mental illnesses, together with tips on conducting conversations and looking after your mental health.
2019, A5 format
Mental health in the workplace. A brochure for employees.
This brochure sets out clearly and concisely how mental health can be cared for in the workplace, what the warning signs are and what can be done about threats to health.
2020, A5 format
Boost your mental health
We all take care of our physical health: brushing our teeth, watching our diet, arranging medical check-ups. You can strengthen and maintain your mental health too. Start by consciously enjoying the small things in life and drawing strength from them. The "How are you?" campaign raises awareness of this, and provides some very specific tips.
Stay in touch
Friendship gives you security and stability. Friends are people you can argue with and then make up with. Intimate subjects are treated in confidence. They can criticize you, but still let you be what you are. More
Stay active
Physical exercise and activity are a necessary counterweight to overstimulation by too much information, stress at work and the hectic pace of life. Movement and activity are fun, and they have been shown to underpin mental equilibrium. More
Let's talk
A trouble shared is a trouble halved. A pleasure shared is a pleasure doubled. Being understood and taken seriously makes us strong. More
Ask for help
Accepting help is a sign of strength. There are people who want to help you if you entrust yourself to them. Asking for help doesn't make you a weakling. More
Further inputs for mental health are:
- Relax
- Get involved
- Learn something new
- Get creative
- Accept yourself
- Believe in yourself
Conversation tips
Talking about problems, anxieties and negative feelings doesn’t make them go away – but it does make them less stressful, inspiring fresh hope or making it possible for you to get help. how-are-you.ch offers conversation tips on mental health at work, in private life, at school and with retirement from the two perspectives: "I’m doing all right, but there’s someone I’m worried about" and "I‘m not doing very well". People affected and those around them will find lots of hints on how a conversation about mental illness or problems can be successful.
Conversation tips
The flyer covers two perspectives: "I’m doing all right, but there’s someone I’m worried about." and "I'm not doing very well". It offers tips: on one side about how a conversation can help the other person to feel better, and on the other about how to talk about one's own problems.
2020, A5 format
Support for people affected and those around them
Mental illnesses should be treated as early as possible by qualified specialists. It‘s always better to take action than sealing yourself off or not reaching out for fear of not being able to express yourself. If you feel that you’re not in the best of mental health, talk to a counsellor for mental health support. You can also confide in your family doctor, who can refer you to a specialist psychotherapist.
- 0848 800 858 psychosocial and legal advice - free of charge and confidential
Counselling Pro Mente Sana
- German: Tel. 0848 800 858 / French: Tel. 0840 000 061 (legal advice), Tel. 0840 000 062 (psychosocial advice) / Italian: 091 646 83 49
Psychosocial and legal advice for people suffering from mental illness and for their loved ones. Provided free of charge and confidential. - E-counselling at www.promentesana.ch/e-beratung (DE/FR/IT/EN)
Enables you to send in your mental health concerns or questions at any time. Offered via a secure connection - messages are encrypted. Replies within three working days
In an emergency
- Tel. 143, www.143.ch (DE/FR/IT)
Advice for adults from Die Dargebotene Hand, 24-hour-hotline, free of charge - Tel. 147, www.147.ch (DE/FR/IT)
Advice for children and young adults from Pro Juventute, 24-hour-hotline, free of charge
More addresses and services
For further Swiss counselling addresses for a suitable mental health support visit how-are-you.ch/addresses-and-services.
Finding a psychotherapist
Each of the three leading professional associations for Swiss psychologists offer online search functions. Use filters such as language, specialty and geographical location to find the right therapist for you. Also consider tele-therapy.
Learn how to provide mental health first aid
The ensa courses teach how to provide mental health first aid to those who are close to us; our family, friends and work colleagues. Mental health first aiders are taught to proactively approach people suffering mental distress, offering support before a crisis can develop.
First aid courses for mental health at ensa.swiss
More Websites and Social Media Channels
Get in touch with your embassy for information on mental-health resources accessible from abroad:
- Canada: www.switzerland.gc.ca; www.wellnesstogether.ca
- United Kingdom: British Embassy Berne - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk); www.nhs.uk/mental-health
- United States: Visa - US-Botschaft in der Schweiz und Liechtenstein (usembassy.gov); www.mentalhealth.gov
Mental health charity offering supportive and reliable information about a wide range of mental health issues: www.mind.org.uk, Mind | Facebook, Mind | Instagram
Suicide prevention website with a wealth of information regarding suicide and the social elements that impact suicide: www.samaritans.org, Samaritans | Facebook, Samaritans | Instagram
The Mental health organisation Beyond Blue provides information about depression, anxiety and suicide.
Flyer «Useful resources for mental health»
Information and services on how you can strengthen your mental wellbeing or find help, if needed.
Download Flyer (PDF, 2 pages)