Helplines in Belgium

In an emergency, call 112 for an ambulance or the fire brigade, or 101 for the police. If you are thinking about suicide, or worried about someone who is, the Zelfmoordlijn answers on 1813 in Dutch and the Centre de Prévention du Suicide on 0800 32 123 in French. Both are free and open 24/7.

If you need to talk in English, the CHS Helpline (Community Help Service) answers on 02 616 26 26 at any hour, or +32 2 616 26 26 from a foreign phone. It is confidential, anonymous and staffed by trained volunteers, including for people who feel suicidal. The free listening lines work in the community languages: Tele-Onthaal on 106 in Dutch, Télé-Accueil on 107 in French, and Telefonhilfe Ostbelgien on 108 in German.

For domestic violence, Ecoute Violences Conjugales takes calls in French on 0800 30 030 every day from 08:00 to 20:00, and later calls are passed to 107. In Flanders, 1712 helps with violence, abuse and child abuse on weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00, and the call does not show on your phone bill. Shelter addresses are kept confidential, and these helplines can help arrange a safe place. Young people can reach Awel on 102 in Dutch or Écoute-Enfants on 103 in French. De DrugLijn on 078 15 10 20 advises on alcohol, drugs and gambling.

Several lines also offer chat on their websites, which can be easier if speaking is hard. 112 works on any phone in the EU, including a foreign SIM. Each number here was checked at its official source, with the date shown.