Planning an international holiday with mental illness can be daunting, especially if you have never done it before. However, with the right preparation and mindset, you can have a wonderful and enriching experience while taking in new cultures. Here are some key tips to help you prepare:
Prioritize Your Mental Health
Your health is paramount. While mental health professionals aim to keep you safe, it’s important to balance their advice with your own aspirations. If they suggest you can’t do it, remember they are trying to protect you, it’s also worth considering your own capabilities and desires and being persistent with them. Sometimes you may want the approval of your doctor to fly internationally, and maybe a social worker can accompany you. Try not to plan things alone until you know what you are doing. Check there are suitable services, at all, in the country you are visiting and it is a safe country.
Start Small
Begin by taking a short trip to the next town on the bus. Stay in an Airbnb or go camping, which can cost between £20-50 per night. This will help you gauge how comfortable you are with traveling and staying away from home.
Insurance and Documentation
- Passport: You can apply for a passport for around £130, and sometimes get one within a week for a small extra fee. If you have never had one, they may ask you to travel for an interview, but mental illness should not stop you from getting a passport. I managed to apply for mine while I was in hospital using the online system.
- Insurance: Look into travel insurance that covers pre-existing mental health conditions. This can cost around £200 per week of travel. The Post Office offers good options in the UK.
- Medical Documentation: Obtain a note from your nurse or doctor stating that your medications are prescribed to you.
- Legal Check: Ensure your medications are legal in the country you plan to visit. Contact the tourism office or the embassy of the country you want to visit if you are unsure.
Food and Accommodation
- Food: Eating out can be fun and sometimes cheaper in European countries. However, it’s wise to carry snacks and a water and plan to visit a local shop for your main food supplies. If you have OCD, be cautious with unfamiliar brands. You can only take empty bottles of drink through security at the airport.
- Accommodation:Camping: Join the Camping and Caravanning Club for access to affordable campsites across Europe.
Hostels: The Youth Hostel Association offers good options and is not solely for people under 25.
Airbnb/Verbo: Filter by price and read reviews to get a feel for the area and requirements of the accommodation.
Travel Tips
- Timing: Be at the departure point well in advance.
- Essentials: Carry water and have your last cigarette on time if you smoke.
- Preparation: Read guides on flying or traveling internationally. Some items you wouldnt necessarily expect are banned for international travel check on the providers webpage for a list. Airports often offer support for mental health conditions, including transport to the terminal. Airports can be very intimidating for some people and require organization to manage without help.
- Alternative Travel: Coaches can be a cheap and easy option. For example, a return trip from Oxford to Bruges can cost around £60 with FlixBus, and three nights in a hostel there can be about £70. They will probably come onto the coach to check your passport, without you having to do anything which makes it less organisation than getting through the airport.
Budgeting
- Total Cost: The total cost for a 3-4 day trip, including insurance, accommodation, and food, can be at an extreme low of £400 (travel, accomadation, insurance, food). This estimate does not include any spending money.
- Spending Money: It’s very easy to overspend, so it’s good to have an additional £200 for extra expenses that you keep with you the whole trip.
Cabin Hand Luggage
- Hand Luggage Allowances: The allowances that come with cheap flights are very small, but you can sometimes fit everything you need in, with more in your pockets. Buying a cabin max flight case for £50 is a worthwhile investment if you want to travel. Make sure it is the right dimensions for the hand luggage on the airlines you plan to use, like EasyJet and Ryanair. It’s small—not even a regular rucksack fits perfectly, but the flight cases maximize space. It can cost double as much to travel with a full-size bag.
Phone Service and Connectivity
- Roaming: In Europe, most phones have roaming included. However, you may need to apply the settings provided in a text message from your carrier. Internet may not work without some adjustments, so be prepared with offline directions to get to your location and how to get on the correct coach or bus from the airport.
- Local SIM Cards: You can buy a SIM card from a supermarket when you arrive if you have your ID. This can be a cost-effective way to ensure you have local data and call services.
- Airport Assistance: Ask the information desk at the airport for help if needed. Leave plenty of time for this.
- Wi-Fi: Most cafes have Wi-Fi that you can access when buying a coffee. This can be very useful if you need to use the internet.
- Language: A significant number of people in tourist hotspots in Europe speak English. Often, it’s easier to speak to them in English directly rather than asking if they speak English. Hotels and airports will almost always have English-speaking staff, so don’t worry too much about language barriers.
Insurance Coverage
Ensure your insurance covers pre-existing mental health conditions. This will protect you if your hotel falls through, travel plans get disrupted, luggage goes missing, or you fall ill. The Post Office offers comprehensive coverage.
Emergency Contacts and Support
- Emergency Contacts: Make sure you have a list of emergency contacts, including local emergency services, your country’s embassy, your mental health professionals, and numbers to claim on insurance and activate services provided by the insurance (but you should aim to never do this).
- Support Networks: Inform friends or family of your travel plans and check in with them regularly. Consider joining online travel forums or support groups for people with mental health conditions.
Enjoying the Destination
Once you arrive, explore the city:
- Have a beer and enjoy local cuisine.
- Take a bus to the end of the line and back to see more of the area.
- Visit a library or museum.
- Practice phrases in the local language.
By taking these steps, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Happy travels!