Psychological Help and Support for Students
If you find yourself in a difficult situation, feeling overwhelmed, or facing a crisis, please know that you are not alone.
In an immediate crisis, there is a dedicated walk-in medical centre right here in Brno ready to help you through a mental health emergency at any hour. This medical facility is providing immediate psychiatric and psychological assistance if you are experiencing an acute mental health crisis that can no longer be managed on your own.
Asking for help is not a weakness—it is a courageous first step. We are here to connect you with the right support, and help you find a way forward.
CRISIS HELP
1. Crisis Care Centre – Bohunice Hospital
Address: Building G, Jihlavská 20, 625 00 Brno (Bohunice Hospital Campus)
How to get there: Take Tram no. 8 from the city center (Main Railway Station / Hlavní nádraží) and get off at the stop Nemocnice Bohunice.
Availability: Walk-in service is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Language Note: The center strives to have English-speaking staff available on-site. However, a higher probability of meeting English-speaking personnel is during the day. If possible, we recommend asking a Czech-speaking friend to accompany you.
What to bring: Please bring your ID/Passport and your health insurance card.
2. Emergency Helpline Crisis Care Centre – Bohunice Hospital
If you prefer to speak to someone over the phone first, or if you need immediate emergency medical assistance, use the numbers below.
Crisis Care Center Bohunice Helpline: +420 532 232 078
Direct phone line to the Crisis Care Centre in Bohunice. Use this to consult your psychological state or check current capacity. English-speaking service over the phone is not guaranteed.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, experiencing a life-threatening situation, or needs an ambulance, call 112 without delay. English-speaking operators are fully guaranteed.
Affordability and Payment Methods: The medical service is covered by Czech public health insurance. With private commercial health insurance (such as PVZP, etc.), it depends on your specific contract conditions. Usually you will receive an invoice for the provided service, and it will be up to your responsibility to deal with the payment and then with your insurance company.
PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING & SUPPORT
You may find yourself in a problematic situation, but you do not have to deal with it alone. If you are facing long-term stress, personal difficulties, or mental health challenges that are not immediately life-threatening but require professional care, there are several counselling and therapy options available to you. Remember: If you feel unwell more that two weeks, it is always better to talk to a professional.
These services are here for you if:
- You often feel anxious, sad, or overwhelmed.
- You do not feel safe, or you experience feelings of fear, threat, or pressure.
- Someone is behaving inappropriately towards you (e.g., repeatedly contacting you against your will, following you, or creating uncomfortable pressure).
- You have long-term problems with sleep or concentration.
- You feel isolated or have difficulty connecting with others.
- You lack meaning and fulfillment in your current studies.
- You notice changes in your appetite, motivation, or daily habits.
- You find yourself in a difficult life situation, or in shock after losing someone or something.
- You experience urges of anger, aggression, or impulses you want to learn to manage safely.
- You are concerned about your mental health and simply want to talk to someone about it.
GOOD HINT:
If you prefer help over a phone call or online chat in your native language, you can try to contact your national helpline service. Many of them offer help over Zoom, phone call or chat applications.
1. University & Faculty Counselling Services (Free & Confidential)
Psychological Counselling for Masaryk University Students
The primary psychological service provided directly by the university. It is designed to support you through academic, personal, or life challenges.
What they offer: Professional consultations with experienced psychologists and therapists.
Form: Available both face-to-face (in Brno) and online.
Capacity & Affordability: The service offers up to seven consultations completely FREE of charge for all active MU students.
How to book: You can find more information and access the reservation system directly at the MU Psychological Counselling Website.
Our Faculty Psychological Support
FSS MU Crisis Psychologist, Michaela Jelenová: From autumn semester 2026, the Faculty of Social Studies has a dedicated, internal crisis psychologist available directly in our building. Michaela can provide accessible consultations and support tailored specifically to the needs of our student community. Contact her at 488252@mail.muni.cz.
2. Short-Term & Online Therapy Options (Free)
Sluchátko therapy line
A unique professional service designed for short-term psychological support, easily accessible from the comfort of your room.
What they offer: A structured block of up to 6 individual therapy sessions (approx. 50 minutes each) focused on stabilizing your current situation and finding coping strategies.
Affordability: Completely free of charge and fully confidential.
Language Note: This service officially operates and provides therapy in English.
How to book: Call via phone or book your slot via the reservation form at Linka Sluchátko Website. Website in in Czech, but in the section “Pro Klienty” you can find the times of English consultation hours under "Provozní doba".
3. Longer-Term and Specialized Care
If you require long-term psychotherapy or specialized mental health services that extend beyond university capacities, you can turn to these verified external organizations in Brno.
Práh South Moravia (free, specialized)
A community mental health center focused on comprehensive, long-term support for individuals experiencing more severe mental health conditions or prolonged psychological crises.
What they offer: A multidisciplinary team providing social and psychological support with a holistic approach to your life situation.
Affordability: This is a free social service, not a medical health service. This means it is fully accessible regardless of what type of health insurance coverage you have.
Language Note: English is not officially guaranteed on their website, but due to the large scale of their professional team, English-speaking staff should available to help.
Website: Práh Jižní Morava Website
List of English-speaking Psychatrists and Psychologists in Brno (Paid, COMMERCIAL)
https://www.brnoexpatcentre.eu/im-an-expat/medical-services/#Psychiatrists
4. Prevention and Quick Self-Help
Nepanikař App (Don’t panic)
If you are currently experiencing anxiety, a panic attack, depression, or an impulse to self-harm, or if you just need immediate emotional stabilization, download this free mobile application. It provides quick, actionable psychological first aid, breathing exercises, and coping strategies.
What it offers: Structured modules for managing panic attacks, anxiety, depression, self-harm impulses, and suicidal thoughts. It includes interactive tools like breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and a place to find professional contacts.
Affordability: 100% free of charge, open-source, no registration required, and completely anonymous.
Language Support: The application is highly accessible for our diverse international student community and is fully available in 20 languages: Arabic, Czech, German, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovak, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Download: You can find the app by searching for "Don't Panic" or "Nepanikař" in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
Brusinka Brno (Wellbeing & Private Counselling)
Brusinka is a local center in Brno with services for foreigners and expats. They have workshops focused on personal development and mental resilience, and also private psychological support. It is a great resource if you are looking to actively improve your mental health, participate in group activities, or prefer private, paid therapy sessions.
What they offer: Youth Resilience Workshops, Wellbeing Workshops and Private Psychological Consultations (in English and Spanish).
Affordability: This is a paid service. It is suitable for students who want immediate access to professional care and are willing to pay for private consultations or workshops.
Language Support: Workshops are in English. Individual counseling and psychologist consultations are fully available in English and Spanish.
More Information: https://www.brusinkabrno.cz/psycholog and https://www.brusinkabrno.cz/en/wellbeing
HOW TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE
Studying abroad can be challenging, and sometimes it is a classmate, roommate, or friend who first notices that someone is going through a difficult time. If you are worried about a fellow student, your support and timely action can make a significant difference.
Here is a guide on how to recognize the warning signs and how to help them safely.
1. Recognize the Warning Signs
You don’t need to be a psychologist to notice that something is wrong. Pay attention if a friend or classmate:
- Suddenly stops attending lectures, seminars, or group meetings.
- Is unusually quiet, withdrawn, or stops responding to messages and calls.
- Expresses feelings of hopelessness, severe anxiety, or being trapped.
- Shows drastic changes in behavior, personal hygiene, or sleeping and eating habits.
- Talks about self-harm, harming others, disappearing, or suicide—never take these statements lightly.
2. How to Approach Them
If you notice these changes, do not be afraid to reach out. Your interest can break their isolation.
Talk in private: Find a quiet, safe, and comfortable place where you won’t be interrupted.
Express your concern gently: Use "I" statements rather than judging. For example: "I’ve noticed you’ve been missing classes lately and seem very tired. Is everything okay? I am worried about you."
Listen without judging: You don't have to fix all their problems or give expert advice. Just listening and showing that you care is incredibly powerful.
Suggest professional support: Gently guide them to this webpage. You can say: "Did you know the university offers free psychological counselling? Have you heard about the Don’t Panic (Nepanikař) App? We can look at the options together."
Offer practical help: Offer to accompany them to the Crisis Centre or help them make a call or write an email to make an appointment.
3. Reach Out to the Faculty for Guidance
If you are worried about a classmate but don't know how to handle the situation, or if you feel the burden is too heavy for you to carry alone, please contact us at the faculty. We will provide a safe, confidential space to discuss your concerns and help find the best way forward for your friend.
Faculty Psychologist: A dedicated Faculty Crisis Psychologist is available directly at FSS MU to support our Czech and international communities and help resolve these critical situations. Her name is Michaela Jelenová (488252@mail.muni.cz) and she is always ready to help.
International Relations Office: You can also visit our office in person during opening hours or send us an email at int@fss.muni.cz. We are here to help you navigate this.
4. What to Do in an Immediate Emergency?
If you believe your friend is in immediate danger and is having a life-threatening psychological emergency:
- Do not leave them alone.
- Take them directly to the 24/7 Crisis Care Centre at the University Hospital Brno (Bohunice), Building G, Jihlavská 20 (see above), or
- Call 112 (European Emergency Number, English-speaking operators guaranteed).