Estonia to open mental health cafes in eight cities for World Suicide Prevention Day

On World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, mental health cafes will open in eight Estonian towns — Tallinn, Tartu, Voru, Parnu, Kuressaare, Rakvere, Polva and Viljandi. Volunteers trained in providing psychological first aid will be present to listen to visitors and, where necessary, direct them toward professional help.

Why talking matters

Anna-Liisa Leppik, head of the suicide prevention project run by Peaasi.ee, said that while people increasingly speak openly about mental health and related struggles, many still keep their feelings to themselves. She noted this can stem from fear of burdening loved ones or from simply not having anyone they trust to confide in. According to Leppik, this can lead to dangerous isolation, where a person is left alone with their problems even though help may be close at hand. She described conversation as the first step toward breaking that cycle.

Leppik said the cafes will offer a safe and supportive environment where people can openly discuss their struggles and mental health concerns. She emphasized that talking to trusted people helps ease feelings of loneliness, which itself acts as a significant additional source of stress. Sharing one's experiences with someone else, she said, makes it easier to cope.

Volunteers will be identifiable by white T-shirts reading "Olen olemas" ("I am here"). Support will be available in Estonian, Russian and English, and visitors can check the relevant portal's website to find out which language is offered at a particular cafe.