Support Groups in Brussels

Details on English-speaking support groups and meetings for AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) following the 12 Steps programme, drug aid, cancer and AIDS support meetings, and social groups for expats and newcomers...

There are various support organisations and helplines in Brussels. While some have English-speaking staff and volunteers, there is no guarantee that English will be spoken. Below is information on:

The Social and Psychological Health website for Belgium has information on a whole range of support groups and associations. It includes mental health centres and groups, rape and victim support centres, associations for parents of disturbed and violent children, family planning clinics and a host of other organisations.

A range of services are also offered in English by the Community Help Service – CHS.

  • This includes a 24 hour crisis helpline in English -Tel: 02 648 40 14
  • At: Bd de la Cambre 33, 1000 Brussels
    Tel: 02 647 67 80
    email

The Brussels official website also has an emergency and support groups section.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous in Belgium has a website with lists of all the meetings throughout the country. It offers support via telephone plus meetings. Some of the meetings are in English.

Al-anon holds regular meetings in Brussels for anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else's drinking.

Drug Abuse

  • 24 hour helpline Tel: 02 227 52 52

Infor Drogues has information on drugs, abuse and addiction.

  • Infor Drogues
    At: Rue du Marteau 19, 1000 Brussels

De Duglijn has information and advice for addicts (in Dutch).

  • At: Vanderlindenstraat 15, 1030 Brussels
    Tel: 07 815 10 20 (Tuesday to Friday from 10:00-20:00)

HIV/AIDS

Aide Info SIDA is an organisation offering support and information on AIDS.

  • Tel: 0800 20 120

Cancer Support

  • Helpline Tel: 0800 18 888

At the same time as Belgium legalised euthanasia, it concentrated additional resources on improving palliative care. The Foundation Against Cancer in Belgium is the national cancer association and can provide help and information to patients and their families.

  • The Foundation has an English speaker who can help patients and families: Click here

WE CARE is an English-speaking support group for women with cancer.

  • Tel: 02 757 06 21
    email

The Association Continuing Care (Association Pluraliste des Soins Palliatifs de Bruxelles Capitale) can provide help at home to cancer patients.

Victim Support

Rape Victims should call SOS Viol, or go in person to the office.

  • Tel: 02 534 36 36
    At: Rue de Bordeaux 62A, 1060 Brussels
    Open: Monday to Friday 09:30-17:30

The main Victim Support agency is Aide aux Victimes

  • At: Rue Haute 296B/314, 1000 Brussels
    Tel: 02 537 66 10 (09:00-17:00 daily)

Family Planning and Sexual Health

There are plenty of centres in and around Brussels offering support and practical help. They are open to everyone.

A leaflet with all the addresses is available from COCOF:

  • At: Rue des Palais 42 1030 Brussels
    Tel: 02 800 80 00

Alternatively the Fédération Laïque de Centres de Planning Familial (FLCPF) has 21 centres in the Brussels region.

Mental Health

For help in English on a range of issues, call the Community Help Service helpline. It is anonymous, confidential and available 24 hours a day.

  • Tel: 02 647 67 80

For a complete list of mental health clinics and facilities in the area consult the Guide Sociale website. There are links to individual websites from the site. Addresses are given for all centres (in French).

  • Suicide Prevention Centre has a 24 hour telephone helpline
    At    : Place du Châtelain 46, 1050 Brussels
    Tel: 02 640 51 56
    Tel: 0800 32 123 (24 hour emergency helpline)

Similies (website in French and Dutch) is a volunteer organisation supporting families and friends of those with mental health problems.

  • At: Rue Malibran 39, 1050 Brussels
    Tel: 02 644 44 04

AD/HD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

English Speaking AD/HD support for adults and families in Brussels provides information on the availability of diagnosis and treatment with a schedule of regular support meetings.

Women's Support Groups

There are a number of English-speaking women's groups in the Brussels area. They offer social events, support for newcomers and many have an English language library and mother and children activities.

Family and Children Support

  • Tel: 110 (Childfocus) or Tel: 103 (Children's helpline). Both numbers are free of charge.

Anyone with concerns about a child's welfare (or the child themselves) can contact SOS Enfants.

  • At: CHU Saint-Pierre Bâtiment 200 - 8ème étage
    Rue Haute 322, 1000 Brussels
    Tel Emergency: 02 542 14 10
    Tel Administration: 02 535 34 25
    email

SOS Missing Children is a helpline providing support and information for parents of missing children. The helpline operates in ten countries in Europe and is available 24/7.

  • Tel: 116 000

Newcomer's Groups

There are a large number of these, due to the many nationalities that live and work in Belgium. Many of the embassy websites also provide links to clubs and associations. Try the following: