For parents and caregivers
When should we
seek help?
If you or your child are concerned, you can request an assessment. Find advice on whom to contact and when getting help promptly is important.
Who should you contact?
Choose help based on the situation
Your GP
For illnesses and symptoms that require examination or follow-up. Call the GP's office during opening hours if you need an urgent assessment.
See support servicesOut-of-hours medical service 116 117
When your GP is unavailable and help cannot wait. Call first to get advice on what to do.
Call 116 117Emergency medical assistance 113
For serious acute illness or injury, reduced consciousness or immediate suicide risk.
Call 113Municipal online doctor
Some municipalities offer video appointments through Helsenorge for non-urgent concerns that do not require a physical examination. Parents may book for their children according to Helsenorge's access rules and restrictions. An online doctor cannot take blood samples or examine your child physically. Check applicable charges and age restrictions before booking.
Check whether your municipality offers an online doctor and how to bookHow much does healthcare cost for children and teenagers?
From 1 August 2026, children and teenagers under 18 do not pay user fees for healthcare included in Norway's exemption card scheme. This includes GP visits, out-of-hours care, outpatient treatment and medicines on a reimbursable prescription. Some services and expenses are outside the scheme, such as certain certificates and private treatment without a public agreement. Ask the provider if you are unsure about charges.
Read about the exemption from user fees (Norwegian)If there is immediate danger from violence or threats, call the police on 112.
Advice for different situations
What are you concerned about?
Open a topic to learn when to get in touch and what information may help. These are general guidelines; healthcare professionals assess your child's individual situation.
When you should get in touch
The pain comes back frequently or lasts over time.
Your child loses sleep or has to stay home from school.
Pain makes it hard to eat, move or join activities.
Measures you have tried give little relief.
What you can do
Make an appointment with your GP for recurring or persistent pain. The doctor can investigate the cause and make a plan for treatment and follow-up.
When you need urgent help
Contact your GP's office for prompt assessment of new severe pain, a clear worsening, or pain with fever and feeling unwell. Call 116 117 when the GP is unavailable and help cannot wait. Call 113 if your child is unconscious or has reduced consciousness.
Useful information to share
- Where does it hurt, and when did it begin?
- How long does the pain last and what becomes difficult to do?
- Are there other symptoms, and what have you tried?
Get in touch even if you do not have all this information.
What is happening to my child?When you should get in touch
Your child repeatedly has severe period pain.
Your child has to miss school or other activities.
Your child bleeds through period products or needs to change them at night.
Your child is unusually tired, pale or dizzy.
There is pain between periods or a noticeable change in bleeding.
What you can do
Book a GP appointment for repeated heavy bleeding, bleeding for more than seven days or symptoms affecting everyday life. You do not need to wait for periods to become regular. The doctor can check haemoglobin and iron stores and consider treatment.
When you need urgent help
Contact your GP's office on the same day if a large pad becomes completely soaked in one to two hours several times in a row, or your child is bleeding heavily and becomes dizzy or noticeably unwell. Call 116 117 if the GP is unavailable and help cannot wait. Call 113 if the child is unconscious, hard to wake, collapses without recovering quickly or has severe breathing difficulties.
Useful information to share
- When does the bleeding occur and how long does it last?
- How quickly do pads or other products fill completely? Are there leaks or a need to change them at night?
- How are sleep, school and energy affected?
- Does your child often have nosebleeds or bruise easily, or does your family have bleeding disorders? What medicines does your child take?
Get in touch even if you do not have all this information.
Read about heavy menstrual bleedingWhen you should get in touch
Itching, burning or pain persists or returns.
It stings when your child pees or they need to pee much more often.
Discharge changes along with other symptoms.
Your child has sores, swelling or pain on contact.
Using tampons or other insertion hurts.
What you can do
Contact your GP for persistent symptoms or a suspected urinary tract infection. Teenagers can also get advice and some examinations at youth health clinics. Available services vary locally.
When you need urgent help
Contact a doctor promptly if your child has a fever together with pain in the abdomen, back or genital area, vomiting or clear signs of illness. Difficulty passing urine should also be assessed promptly. Call 116 117 if the GP is unavailable and help cannot wait.
Useful information to share
- Where are the symptoms and how long have they lasted?
- Is there a fever, changed discharge or difficulty peeing?
- Has your child used new products or tried treatment?
Get in touch even if you do not have all this information.
Read about itching, burning and smellWhen you should get in touch
Your child seems sad, irritable or anxious over time.
Mood changed after starting or switching hormonal contraception.
Your child withdraws from friends and family.
Sleep, appetite, school or concentration has changed.
Your child loses interest in things they used to enjoy.
Your child expresses hopelessness or says nothing matters.
What you can do
Contact a school nurse or GP when you are worried. If mood changed after starting or switching hormonal contraception, explain which method your teenager uses and when the changes began. There may be several causes, and healthcare professionals can assess both mental health and contraception. Seek help sooner if symptoms are severe or your child is struggling with everyday life.
When you need urgent help
Ask directly about self-harm or suicidal thoughts if you are worried. Call 113 if there is an immediate risk of suicide, and stay with your child. Call 116 117 if a serious worsening needs help before the GP is available.
Useful information to share
- What has changed, and how long has it lasted?
- Does your teenager use hormonal contraception, and when did they start or switch?
- How are sleep, school, friends and eating?
- What does your child say, and what are your concerns?
Get in touch even if you do not have all this information.
Read about sadness and low moodSources for this advice
When you should get in touch
Your child has hurt themselves or says they want to.
Your child says they want to die or take their life.
Your child has a plan to hurt themselves or access to something they want to use.
You are afraid your child may act on those thoughts now.
What you can do
Ask calmly and directly about self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Healthcare professionals should assess any injuries and the need for further support. Self-harm and suicidal thoughts can occur separately or together.
When you need urgent help
Call 113 for immediate suicide danger or serious injury. Stay with your child until help arrives, even if they ask you not to call. If prompt assessment is needed but there is no immediate threat to life, contact the GP or call 116 117.
Useful information to share
- Explain what your child has said or done.
- Report any injuries, plans or access to means.
- Describe the current situation and follow the advice you receive.
Get in touch even if you do not have all this information.
Get help talking with your childSources for this advice
When you should get in touch
Your child often skips meals or follows strict food rules.
Thoughts about calories, weight or body take up a lot of space.
Your child becomes very distressed if they miss exercise.
Your child avoids eating with other people.
Energy, concentration, mood or menstruation has changed.
What you can do
Contact your GP if you suspect an eating disorder. Offer to go with your child and describe the changes you have noticed. Your child may need help even if they experience the situation differently from you.
When you need urgent help
Severe weakness, fainting or a clear decline in physical health needs prompt medical assessment. Contact the GP or 116 117. Call 113 for reduced consciousness or another acute serious condition.
Useful information to share
- How have meals and exercise changed?
- How are energy, school and social life?
- What worries your child and when did the changes begin?
Get in touch even if you do not have all this information.
Read about food, body image and exerciseWhen you should get in touch
Your child describes unwanted sexual acts, sexual pressure or sex without consent.
Your child is afraid of a partner, friend or adult.
Someone threatens, controls or monitors your child.
Intimate images are being used for pressure or extortion.
Your child describes violence or feels unsafe where they are staying.
What you can do
Let your child speak in their own words. Contact the police on 02800 or the Norwegian child helpline on 116 111 for advice. Following a recent sexual incident, contact healthcare services promptly to assess injuries, infection risk and possible pregnancy. The out-of-hours service can guide you to care appropriate for your child's age.
When you need urgent help
Call the police on 112 if there is immediate danger, violence or threats requiring help now. Call 113 for an acute serious injury or medical emergency. Call 116 117 when urgent medical help is needed.
Useful information to share
- Explain what your child has told you and whether they are safe now.
- Report whether the person still has contact with or access to your child.
- Ask who will follow up and how your child will be protected.
Get in touch even if you do not have all this information.
Read about support after an unwanted sexual experienceWhen you should get in touch
Your child says they have done something sexual against another person's will.
You worry harmful behaviour could happen again.
What you can do
Stop the behaviour and make sure others are safe. Contact a school nurse or GP for assessment and further support. If abuse is suspected, ask the police how to handle the situation.
When you need urgent help
If someone is in danger right now, contact the police. Seek emergency medical help for an acute serious injury.
Useful information to share
- Describe what you know and what concerns you.
- Explain whether there is a risk of the behaviour happening again.
Get in touch even if you do not have all this information.
Read about respecting other people's boundariesWhen you should get in touch
You see a change that concerns you.
Your child asks for help.
Things you have tried at home have helped little.
You are unsure if a routine appointment can wait.
What you can do
Call your GP's office during opening hours and explain what has happened. They can assess how quickly your child needs help. A school nurse can also advise on concerns about your child's health and daily life.
When you need urgent help
Call 116 117 if your GP is unavailable and you are unsure whether help can wait. Call 113 if the situation might be life-threatening.
Useful information to share
- What concerns you most right now?
- When did it begin, and has it become worse?
- How is your child right now?
Get in touch even if you do not have all this information.
Read about what happens at the doctorHelp and follow-up
Where to start
School nurse
A free service for pupils. Children and parents can get in touch about physical and mental health. The school nurse can also help with follow-up and adjustments at school.
Read about the school health service (Norwegian)Youth health clinic
A free service for teenagers and young adults, usually up to age 20. Some municipalities have a higher age limit. Young people can contact the clinic themselves. Check local opening hours and which services are available.
Read about this serviceYour GP
Your GP examines illnesses and symptoms, assesses treatment and may refer your child for further care. Call the office if your child needs prompt assessment instead of waiting for a routine appointment.
What happens at the doctor's office?What information are you entitled to as a parent?
Children have the right to be heard on matters concerning their health, regardless of age. Parents with parental responsibility generally receive health information when their child is under 16. For children aged 12 to 16, healthcare professionals may withhold information if the young person has reasons that should be respected. Even with younger children, compelling considerations for the child may limit what information parents receive.
From age 16, young people generally consent to their own healthcare and decide who receives information. Until age 18, parents must nevertheless receive information necessary to fulfil parental responsibilities. Healthcare professionals assess this individually. Children and teenagers should be informed when the law requires information to be shared with parents.
Confidentiality does not mean healthcare professionals can never notify others. Where there is a risk of serious harm or concern about a child's care situation, reporting obligations or other statutory exceptions may apply. Feel free to ask before a conversation what can remain confidential.
Healthcare professionals have a duty of confidentiality, with rules and exceptions depending on age and circumstances. Ask them to explain what your child can decide and what information may be shared with parents. Read about children's and teenagers' healthcare rights.
Concerned about your child's safety?
Adults can call the Norwegian child helpline on 116 111 for advice about possible violence, abuse or neglect. You can contact the police on 02800 in non-emergencies. If there is immediate danger, call 112.
Help your child before and after an appointment
- Ask what your child wants help with and offer to write down questions together.
- Offer to attend together. Your child may also prefer to speak privately with healthcare professionals.
- Ask for a follow-up plan and when you should get in touch again.
- Afterwards, ask how your child experienced the appointment. Get in touch again if symptoms persist or worsen.
Sources and further reading
Sources for each topic are listed alongside the individual advice. Information about out-of-hours healthcare, health services and telephone helplines was checked on 1 October 2026. Advice on heavy menstrual bleeding and municipal online doctor services was checked on 3 October 2026. Rules on young people's healthcare rights and user fees were reviewed against Helsenorge and the Norwegian Directorate of Health on 19 October 2026.
- Helsenorge: Out-of-hours care and medical emergencies (Norwegian)
- Helsenorge: Skolehelsetjenesten
- Helsenorge: Youth health clinic
- Alarmtelefonen 116 111: For bekymrede voksne
- Politiet: Ring politiet
- Helsenorge: Helserettigheter for barn og unge
- Helsenorge: Family members' rights (Norwegian)
- Norwegian Directorate of Health: Fee exemption for 16- and 17-year-olds from 1 August 2026