BUP (child and adolescent mental health services)
Draft, translated: translated from the Norwegian original with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is the authoritative one. See the Norwegian original →
BUP helps children and young people with serious mental health difficulties. How do you get there, what can you do while you wait, and what if you are refused?
Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 21 September 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.
BUP is mental health care for children and young people, and is part of the specialist health service. According to Helsenorge, BUP treats more serious conditions, such as depression, severe anxiety or symptoms of psychosis.
How do you get to BUP?
You must be referred by a doctor, psychologist or the child welfare service. Usually it is your regular GP (fastlege) who sends the referral. If you are referred by someone else, your GP should still be contacted first.
Once BUP has received the referral, they must assess within 10 working days whether the child has the right to necessary healthcare, and let you know. Read Right to healthcare from hospitals and psychiatric services for what you can do if you disagree, and how to complain.
Help without waiting for BUP
Not all help requires BUP. The municipality has services that are free and often quicker to access:
- Health centre and school health service, free for all pupils.
- Health centre for young people, with free advice and help to move forward.
- Mental health services in the municipality. The offer varies, so check your municipality's website.
- Your GP and the out-of-hours clinic (legevakt, 116 117).
- Ung.no, where children and young people can ask questions for free and anonymously.
Need help right now?
- Life-threatening situation: call 113.
- Out-of-hours clinic (legevakt): 116 117.
- Children and young people who need someone to talk to, or adults worried about a child: the Children's Helpline (Alarmtelefonen), 116 111 (free, around the clock).
- Mental Helse runs a helpline on 116 123, and Kirkens SOS on 22 40 00 40.
Parents and rights
Children have the right to express their views and be heard in matters that concern them. The Norwegian Directorate of Health has its own brochures on rights in mental health care for children under 16 and for young people aged 16 to 18.
Tip: If your child has both mental health difficulties and a sensory impairment (hearing or sight), there is a national service. See the National Treatment Service for Sensory Loss and Mental Health.
Sources
- Helsenorge. Mental healthcare for children and adolescents
- Helsenorge. Children and young people's mental health (Norwegian)
- Helsedirektoratet. Referral for assessment and treatment in the specialist health service (Norwegian)
Kontaktpunkt24 gives general information, not legal advice. If you need help with your own case, contact a lawyer, a legal aid service, or the relevant authority.
This page is translated from Norwegian with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is always the authoritative one.