About teenagers
Adolescence brings changes in identity, relationships and emotions. Therapy offers a confidential space to talk about anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, relationships or school pressure, with the involvement of the family when appropriate.
Neuropsychologists assess and rehabilitate memory, attention, language and other cognitive functions after brain injury, stroke or in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Getting mental health care in Samoa
Public health system · Ministry of Health / National Health Services, Mental Health Unit at Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) Hospital
Public mental health care is centred on the Mental Health Unit at TTM Hospital in Apia, which admits people with acute mental health conditions and runs community outreach with partners such as Goshen Trust, whose halfway house helps patients return to the community. Specialist capacity is very limited: in October 2024 Samoa had a single full-time practising psychiatrist, with a second, overseas psychiatrist due to join the Ministry of Health.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Medical Council, through the Registrar of Healthcare Professionals (Ministry of Health). Under the Healthcare Professions Registration and Standards Act 2007 the Registrar keeps registers of healthcare professionals, including medical practitioners, and the professional councils set standards and handle complaints. Psychiatrists practise as registered medical practitioners; no specific statutory register for psychologists was found.
Urgent help in Samoa
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 911 · Emergency (911)
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: samoaobserver.ws, samoa.tradeportal.org
Signs to look out for
Mood swings, wanting more privacy and clashes with parents are part of adolescence. It may be time to seek help when a teenager seems persistently sad, anxious or irritable, withdraws from friends, loses interest in activities, has big changes in sleep or eating, drops in school performance, uses alcohol or drugs, self-harms, or spends most of their time isolated online.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Approaches with good evidence for teenagers include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy for depression, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) adapted for adolescents when there is self-harm, and family-based therapies. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists and family therapists usually lead the work; a child and adolescent psychiatrist may be involved when symptoms are severe or medication is being considered.
When to seek urgent help
Take any talk of suicide or self-harm seriously. If a teenager has a plan, has harmed themselves seriously, has taken an overdose or is in danger, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Seek urgent help too for signs of severe intoxication, sexual exploitation or online extortion, and do not leave them alone if at risk.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep communication open by listening more than lecturing, and choose relaxed moments, such as car journeys or meals, to talk. Respect their growing independence while keeping clear, agreed limits. Encourage sleep routines, physical activity and time away from screens. Show interest in their friends and activities. If they are reluctant to seek help, offer options and let them have a say in choosing.
What does a neuropsychologist do?
A neuropsychologist studies how the brain relates to thinking and behaviour. Day to day they carry out detailed assessments of memory, attention, language, planning and other cognitive functions using standardised tests, write reports, and design rehabilitation or stimulation programmes. They work with people after a stroke or brain injury, with neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental conditions, and with their families and medical teams.
When to see a neuropsychologist
A neuropsychologist can help when there are noticeable changes in memory, concentration, language or behaviour, after a head injury or stroke, with concerns about cognitive decline, or to clarify learning or attention difficulties. They are also useful to plan rehabilitation and adapt daily life. If the concern is mainly emotional, a psychologist may fit better; medical causes need a neurologist.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Samoa cover psychological care?
Public mental health care is centred on the Mental Health Unit at TTM Hospital in Apia, which admits people with acute mental health conditions and runs community outreach with partners such as Goshen Trust, whose halfway house helps patients return to the community. Specialist capacity is very limited: in October 2024 Samoa had a single full-time practising psychiatrist, with a second, overseas psychiatrist due to join the Ministry of Health.
How do I check that a neuropsychologist is licensed in Samoa?
Medical Council, through the Registrar of Healthcare Professionals (Ministry of Health): Under the Healthcare Professions Registration and Standards Act 2007 the Registrar keeps registers of healthcare professionals, including medical practitioners, and the professional councils set standards and handle complaints. Psychiatrists practise as registered medical practitioners; no specific statutory register for psychologists was found.